CAMPAIGNERS jeered city councillors after they passed a vote to “keep the views of the dreaming spires blotted out” from Port Meadow.

“Shame on you” signs were held on Tuesday night following the approval of plans to repaint Oxford University’s Castle Mill student flats and screen them with trees.

A report in 2014 found views across the city had been harmed by the flats, built in 2013.

Save Port Meadow’s Sushila Dhall said: “I can’t believe a handful of people voted to keep the views of the dreaming spires and St Barnabas Church blotted out.

“Hundreds of people have been upset by the substantial damage done to our beloved Port Meadow.

“The issue for most people is the destruction of views and option one clearly is not going to mitigate against that.”

The decision by Oxford City Council’s west area planning committeefollows three options put forward by the 2014 report to address the damage to views.

The least expensive will involve changing the colour, texture and cladding of the flats, and tree screening, at a cost of £6m.

Other options included flattening out the roof or removing the top floor. The university’s “parliament” of dons rejected removing a floor last year, despite demands from Save Port Meadow.

City councillor and committee member Elise Benjamin said: “To be told you have three options but only be allowed to vote on one is not democracy. I feel cheated.”

Oxford University’s buildings and estates committee chairman Dr Nick Brown said: “We are pleased with the committee’s decision.

“We learned lessons from Castle Mill and have strengthened our consultation processes for all future planning applications as a result.

“We now want to look forward and begin our consultation on how to improve the appearance of the buildings.”

The university will now put together designs councillors also suggested should include something to combat the reflective roof that will need separate approval.

Save Port Meadow member Toby Porter added: “ It is clear to everyone this development was a mistake and a disgrace – the damage done is well documented.”