A RESIDENTS’ leader says Oxford’s Cowley Road is being “turned into a students’ union” after plans were put forward to convert a former gym into more university accommodation.

Oxford City Council is to decide on a plan to turn closed fitness centre The Gym, at 381 Cowley Road, into 12 ensuite flats with combined living and kitchen accommodation.

Developers said the premises had been taken on by Oxford and Oxford Brookes universities after plans to market it to business failed to take off.

They said students would be forbidden from bringing cars.

But Elizabeth Mills, chairman of the Divinity Road Residents’ Association, said: “Saying that they cannot bring cars is completely unenforceable.

“And until the universities, police and local authorities can promise that, they shouldn’t be putting more people on Cowley Road.”

She added: “It’s like the university is turning Cowley Road into the student union.

“More houses for families need to be repossessed from students, who do not contribute to the local community.”

The Cowley area committee has been asked to consider the plan at the request of four city councillors, including council leader Bob Price.

Mr Price said: “We are never certain on the dimensions on planning applications like this in East Oxford, or the impact they will have on the community. So members often call in proposals like this so we can look at them closely.

“It gives the public and council members a chance to look at everything in detail, and potentially ask for necessary changes.”

The building fronts on to Cowley Road and Glanville Road, with the unoccupied gym on the first floor.

Planning permission was granted for to turn it into offices last year and it already has permission for 13 student flats on the second floor, which have not been built.

Mr Price said: “There is always the worry with student accommodation about all the problems that come with them – collection of rubbish, maintenance, noise and parking, to name a few.

“So all the plans need to be looked at carefully in respect of the area, especially in a crowded community like that on Cowley Road.

“Sometimes developers have a tendency to over-develop their new buildings, so we need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Case officer Steven Roberts said: “The proposal is considered to be an appropriate use of the site and would not be to the detriment of neighbouring residents or local employment.”

Applicant Greenings (Ox-ford) said it would put in cycling safety measures if the scheme is agreed.

The are committee will discuss the proposals in public on Wednesday, February 2, at 6.30pm in John Bunyan Baptist Church, Crowell Road.