THE concession offered up by Oxford Brookes University to appease a well organised and concerted campaign against its expansion has been a welcome surprise.

The university, understandably, wants to expand.

But those living close to the Gipsy Lane campus have, understandably, raised concerns about the impact large-scale development would have.

An impasse was reached, with campaigners orchestrating a well-drilled door-knocking exercise resulting in a petition with more than 1,000 signatures opposing the development of a massive new building.

Now the ball is firmly back in their court after Brookes tabled what appears to be a concession to the campaigners — a redrawing of its original plans, which reduces the height of the centrepiece, a main building containing a library and teaching facilities, by one storey — or three metres.

It will cost Brookes an extra £5m – but one campaign group has dismissed it as tinkering.

Brookes is a fantastic university with a fast-growing reputation, but it needs 21st century facilities to be able to compete. In short, it is either allowed to expand and compete, or it fades.

Compromise is the key for both sides here.