A plan to build a string of new flats for students in Marston has sparked protest from residents in the area.

Oxford Brookes University wants to knock down two blocks at Morrell Halls, off Marston Road, to make way for new buildings.

The scheme would increase the number of student flats at the site by 80 - meaning 634 could be housed on the campus.

But Roy Darke, chairman of the New Marston South Residents' Association, believes it is the thin end of the wedge.

He said: "This could be the first of a series of similar developments at Morrell Hall whereby the eight existing residential blocks could be progressively demolished over a period of time in order for the whole site to be rebuilt at higher density. We feel that the university should come clean and admit this is part of a wider long-term strategy of student residence upgrade."

Members have joined forces with the neighbouring Jack Straw's Lane Association to fight the plans.

Marilyn Cox, secretary of the Jack Straw's Lane Association, said the current plans would set a precedent for future redevelopment and raised the prospect of "severe and detrimental disruption of the balance between local residents and Brookes".

She said Thames Water had also raised concerns that the development could overload sewers in the area.

Oxford Brookes said the aim of the development was merely to accommodate students' changing demands.

Director of estates and facilities management Ian King said: "Students want modern rooms with modern facilities, such as ensuite bathrooms and Internet access, and the new building will provide just such high quality accommodation."

He added: "We want to house as many students as possible in purpose built accommodation, to relieve pressure on Oxford's private rented housing market."

The planning application will now go before the city council's north east area committee for a decision next month.

Meanwhile most of Brookes's main Gipsy Lane campus is set to be bulldozed to make way for a host of new buildings.

The university has also unveiled plans to build a 1,000 seat public hall at its Headington Hill Hall site.

The £110m scheme includes a new iconic entrance to the campus as well as a public square.

Only three buildings on the Gipsy Lane campus will survive the 10-year development plan.