A DECISION on controversial plans to build student accommodation above St Clement’s car park in Oxford was deferred last night.

Oxford city councillors voted unanimously to delay the decision on the £8m scheme at a packed west area planning committee meeting at Oxford Town Hall.

They said because the original plans had been altered since the public consultation, more time was needed for the public to have their say.

Traders cautiously welcomed the delay and vowed to fight on.

Developer Watkin Jones Group wants to build 141 student bedrooms in three blocks. The plans have sparked anger among traders, who fear the loss of parking spaces for their customers could put them out of business.

Josh Knight, who runs the Indigo fashion shop, in Cowley Road, said he was not surprised councillors had delayed a decision but welcomed the move.

He said: “We’re going to really rally the community now and get everybody who uses the car park to object and have their say.”

If the scheme is approved, traders fear that the car park could be closed for 11 months for construction work.

But the council claims it is making progress in the search for a site for a temporary car park in the area, but will not say which locations it is looking at.

Fellow trader Clinton Pugh handed a 2,740-signature petition against the plan to Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin before the meeting.

Mr Pugh, who owns Cafe Co-Co and two other restaurants in Cowley Road, said: “We hope this temporary car park will be announced soon, because obviously it’s crucial for the community to survive.”

Only 74 of the car park’s 120 spaces will remain when the scheme is completed.

The council received 500 comments opposing the scheme to create the three blocks on stilts above the car park.

Under the latest plans, one of the buildings is taller, with the number of windows increased and the facade of the building changed.

Council leader Bob Price said: “It’s the details which are the point of concern. It’s important that people are able to comment and consult on those.”

It is not yet clear what the timeframe for a decision will now be but more consultation will take place.