Residents in Headington and Marston are considering legal action against plans to build an £85m hospital at Oxford's John Radcliffe site.

Members of neighbourhood groups in the area, including Old Marston Residents' Association, Old Marston Parish Council, and Osler Road Residents' Association, want advice on whether they should appeal against planning permission for the building.

The new hospital is being built by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and will be used to relocate services, such as ear nose and throat, and neurology treatment, from the Radcliffe Infirmary, in Woodstock Road.

The plans were given the all-clear in July, when the ORH agreed to spend £1.9m to improve public transport and walking and cycling routes.

But residents claim the decision should have been deferred until the major traffic study, known as the Headington and Marston Area Transport Strategy (HAMATS), which is supported by the city and county councils, was carried out in the area.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jock Coats said: "We're continuing to look at ways to get the trust back to the table to talk, because we don't believe their funding for traffic measures -before HAMATS was decided - was sufficient.

"A judicial review is one of the options for the residents' groups, which are all worried about the traffic situation.

"The planning permission was given before people were consulted on HAMATS. As a result, we must now do whatever will facilitate the hospital. If it is unworkable without certain access routes, these will have to be given permission, regardless of HAMATS advice."

Helen Peggs, spokesman for the ORH, said: "The redevelopment is aimed at improving patient care and patient services for people across Oxfordshire.

"The trust has full planning permission for the work, which will proceed, as planned, later this year."