RESIDENTS are calling on council officers and developers to rethink after turning a children’s play area in East Oxford into a works compound.

An application for a development of 10 student flats with a total of 33 bedrooms, replacement police office and toilets in Cowley Road next to Manzil Way Gardens was approved last year.

As part of the scheme, Oxford City Council gave permission for part of the gardens to be used as a fenced compound to store materials for the development.

Magdalen Road resident and former city councillor Craig Simmons said: “When we objected before, we were told we were scaremongering and the amount of space they asked for was the maximum area which they would never use.

“In fact, they have cordoned off the whole area they applied for.

“It’s our worst nightmare.”

He said alternative options had been put forward, including using the nearby health centre car park.

Work has not yet started on the development, so Mr Simmons and other residents are asking for other options to be considered.

He said: “By creating pressure now, we are hoping they might reduce the size of the compound. It’s not too late to do something.”

Between a third and half the available green space has been taken over by the compound, including the area dedicated to ball games.

Mr Simmons said it had been used on a daily basis.

He said: “We are all talking about encouraging healthy living and sports but instead what we are doing is cordoning off the active sports area.

“I am angry the council has prioritised the needs of developers over local residents.”

Leatrice Beeson, 87, of Anchor Court, St Clement’s Street, said she used to enjoy watching children playing there when she visited the East Oxford Health Centre.

She said: “It was an open space that was ideal for kids. I find it very distressing that the area has now been lost.”

Work was originally planned to start in July 2010, but was delayed until last month due to negotiations with Thames Valley Police over the replacement of the police base.

Developer Tom Crampton Smith, who owns Crampton Smith Properties, said the compound would be needed for between 12 and 15 months. He said: “The only safe way of getting the materials onto the site is by using a compound of this size.

“It will get rid of those revolting public toilets, provide a new police base and decent public toilets to benefit the local community.

“It’s very unfortunate we have to use the compound but there is no other way.”

Council spokesman Annette Cunningham said: “We looked at appropriate alternatives for the compound and unfortunately this was the only workable solution.”