PLANS to build on one of Headington’s last remaining car parks have caused anger among residents.

The car park behind Waitrose is owned by Oxford City Council and has been earmarked as a site for potential student accommodation or housing.

The idea was presented in the city council’s Sites and Housing Development Plan Document Preferred Options document, a list of 75 possible development sites in the city.

The idea is to build above the 130-space car park at the site off Old High Street.

Residents showed strong opposition to the plans at the first north east area forum meeting.

Richard Bradley from Headington Action said: “There is a lot of anger and a lot of worry about this.

“The big issue is the loss of parking, not just after the build has happened but the loss while it takes place.

“If those parking spaces are lost for even a couple of months, it will have a devastating impact on Headington. We believe that some businesses will close and others will go elsewhere.”

Mr Bradley added: “There is a challenge for the city council to come up with a solution which provides as much car parking as there is now.

“If they could overcome that, it could be worth it, as it would bring in more business.”

Jill Cummings, former owner of Time and Elegance Jewellers, said: “If they got rid of any parking, it would be an absolute disaster for businesses.”

The car park is next to Bury Knowle Park and forms part of the Old Headington Conservation Area. At the meeting on Tuesday, one resident said the building would overlook the park too much.

Marston city councillor Mary Clarkson said: “We wouldn’t want to invite any kind of accommodation that would create more demand for parking.”

The council’s preferred options document states: “Development of the site would make more efficient use of a brownfield site.

“In order to balance the needs of the local community, maintaining a vibrant community and meeting the aims of making more efficient use of land, development with undercroft parking is considered an appropriate balance.

“Careful design would be required in order to deliver a safe parking environment.”

In November, police said they were unhappy with similar plans to build above St Clement’s car park.

They warned the proposal to create housing for 141 students on four storeys, built on stilts above the parking, could increase crime and antisocial behaviour.

The plans for St Clements will be discussed at an Area Planning West meeting on Wednesday.

A consultation on the sites for development, including Headington car park, runs until July 22.

For more information, visit oxford.gov.uk/consultation