RESIDENTS protesting against plans to build a steel-framed car park opposite their homes have launched a petition.

Cherwell District Council wants to build a temporary multi-storey on Bicester's Claremont car park to replace spaces lost while the £70m town centre redevelopment is built.

But people living in Victoria Road believe the proposed 98-space metal structure will be noisy, ugly and attract extra traffic.

Last month they called on councillors to think again and consider decking the Cattle Market car park instead.

But six weeks on, they said they had not had any response - and have launched a petition to oppose the plans.

Great-grandmother Joan Thorpe, 74, has sent the 24-signature petition to Cherwell District Council, town centre development company Stockdale Land, Tony Baldry and several town and district councillors.

She said: "This is a residential estate, not an industrial one.

"The Claremont car park is directly opposite our homes and none of us want this type of monstrosity opposite us, nor should we have to put up with the noise that would arise from this type of decking.

"We have visited the one erected at Bicester Village and the noise level from the movement of cars is terrible.

"Also it was noticed a generator was in operation and assume it was to run the lighting in the car park.

"We are of the opinion that there is far too much traffic travelling both ways along Victoria Road. There are various sizes of wagons delivering goods to the rear of the large stores."

Mrs Thorpe added officials had not paid much attention to the location in Victoria Road and had not contacted residents about the issue.

Cherwell backed the decking plans in principle earlier this year after it emerged 388 spaces - about half the town's current pay-and-display capacity - would be lost during the building of Bicester's £70m town centre redevelopment.

Shopkeepers had previously hoped some spaces would be left as building work on the Crown Walk and Franklin's Yard car parks was due to be phased, but now the developer plans to complete the project in one go.

Council officials said the structure could cost up to £600,000 and would be similar to the temporary one currently being used at Bicester Village.

A detailed planning application has yet to be lodged.

Cherwell's property portfolio holder Andrew Fulljames was unavailable for comment.

But his colleague Debbie Pickford, who represents Bicester Town, said: "It's got to happen while the building happens, it's only temporary.

"I can understand their concerns, but at the end of the day do we want our development or don't we?

"There's obviously going to be some heartbreak and some disruption.

"I think it's a price we have to pay. We have to look at the best for the majority."