CARE home residents living close to a proposed 300-bed student complex fear a clash of lifestyles will give them sleepless nights.

Berkeley Homes wants to build 313 rooms for Oxford Brookes University students on the former Dorset House School site in London Road, Headington.

But despite assurances of on-site wardens, residents of a neighbouring nursing home and retirement flats say late night noise will keep them awake at night. They also fear cycling student may pose a pavement danger.

Catherine Grogan, chief executive of St Luke’s Hospital in Latimer Road, said noise and parking were the main concern of the nursing home’s 48 residents.

She told Oxford City Council’s north east area committee on Thursday night: “Three hundred and thirteen students living on the corner of our road is going to create problems of noise, particularly late at night when our residents, who are elderly and frail people, are trying to sleep.”

The proposal is for a lodge house and two accommodation blocks on the site and, in accordance with city planning regulations, students would not be allowed to run cars.

But residents raised concerns that students would park cars in streets that do not need residents’ parking permits.

The developer said 24-hour wardens would combat any unruly behaviour and the halls of residence would free up much need family homes in the private housing market.

Comments raised at the area committee will be passed to the council’s strategic development and control committee which will decide on the plan on March 31.

Planning officers are recommending approval.