HOUSEHOLDERS have hit out at plans to build new student flats directly overlooking their gardens – insisting they would rather have noise from trains.

Plans for a new 74-bedroom block, pictured below, to be built on for waste land in Osney Lane, have been submitted to Oxford City Council.

But residents of nearby Mill Street, on to which the development will back, say the building will be one metre higher than their houses and block views from their gardens.

Oxfordshire County councillor Susanna Pressel said: “People feel it may overdominate their gardens, being three storeys high. A lot of them like having the green area at the back of their houses too.”

The land is not currently used, and backs on to railway lines. In September, city councillors backed plans to build a new £12.5m platform nearby but funding has yet to be found and a date for work to start has not been set.

The building was designed by architect Adrian James from Adrian James Architects. Mr James, pictured, lives in Mill Street, but on the other side to the development.

He said: “Noise and fumes from the railway will get much worse when the new platform is built. This will reduce noise and fumes for people on that side of Mill Street.”

But resident Sue Dellow, 54, said: “I am totally against these plans. I have lived in Mill Street for 54 years and there has never been too much noise or any fumes.

“Students have parties and in the summer, will have their radios on. I’d rather have the noise from trains.”