PROTESTERS are hoping to have won Prince Charles’ support for their campaign yesterday.

He accepted a letter urging his intervention to dismantle the top two storeys of Oxford University’s new student blocks off Port Meadow to save Oxford’s historic views.

The group of 30 people from the Campaign to Protect Port Meadow from Oxford University (CPPMOU) gathered in front of Said Business School in Park End Street ahead of his visit.

Prince Charles’ aide accepted the letter from them.

Campaign organiser Toby Porter said: “I don’t expect His Royal Highness to rush to add his signature to the petition we have.

“But we were trying to bring his attention to the issue and appeal to his keen interest in architecture.

“This is the kind of thing he has spoken out against all his life.

“If he reacts in the same way almost everyone else does we are hoping he might ask the university to be more responsive.”

Said Business School is only a few hundred yards away from the 312-bedroomed development.

Mr Porter, from Jericho, is hoping this will be the turning point in their efforts.

The 43-year-old added: “It is a detested eyesore and we want his knowing about it to trigger his concerns too.

“It was just too good an opportunity to miss with his being in Oxford and interests in good architecture.

“We are hoping he might ask the university’s chancellor Lord Chris Patten about the issues and that he will have more luck than we have had.”

A petition against the blocks reached 2,000 signatures on Sunday.

Oxford University spokesman Matt Pickles declined to comment on the letter.

It issued a previous statement which acknowledged the controversy caused by the development and said the university had acted in good faith.

Clarence House also refused to comment on what might be done next with the letter.