PUBGOERS in Oxford have been dealt a blow after plans were approved to convert one watering hole into a house and approve more student flats for another.

Councillors have approved a plan to convert the Bricklayers Arms in Church Lane, Old Marston, into a four-bedroom home.

A further five red brick homes will be built on the pub’s former car park and garden, along with a detached double garage.

And Oxford City Council planners also backed new plans for The Cavalier in Copse Lane.

It will now be knocked down for 58 student flats instead of the 35 approved in April.

Five people opposed the Bricklayers Arms plan, with concerns over the loss of the pub, which closed in 2008, and the “cramped” plan for houses.

Old Marston Parish Council backed the scheme. Chairman Charlie Haynes said: “It is unfortunate that another pub is going to be lost but I think it is good use of the land.”

Drinkers could still use the Victoria Arms, Jack Russell, Red Lion and Three Horseshoes, he said.

Planning permission has also been granted to turn the Three Horseshoes into two homes, but it remains open currently.

Developer Danescroft Commercial Developments Ltd, which had to justify to the council losing the pub, said six months of marketing attracted no pub bids. It closed in December.

It said the business provided “insufficient profit” and there was strong local competition in a declining market .

A council report said while the marketing exercise was “inadequate” to show demand, the prospects for the pub had been thoroughly addressed and recommended approval.

Red Lion landlady Diana Berry said: “We are sorry to see them go.

“We need community pubs and need a bit of competition to keep us on our toes.”

The Cavalier application dropped plans for a shop approved in April for a two- and three-storey building with 62 cycle spaces within the site and 18 at the front. No car spaces will be provided and contracts will insist students do not bring cars.

East area planning committee member David Rundle raised concerns at its meeting on Wednesday night.

He pointed to a Government planning inspector’s May ruling that it is impossible to stop students bringing their cars.

This is because the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is no longer providing details of who owns cars to universities to check on those breaking no-car rules.

The committee said the council must be told in advance who the students were and the site must have a warden.

Developer Gary Broadfield told the Oxford Mail that residents should report students they suspected of bringing cars.

He said: “They need to keep an eye out and flag it up to the warden and council.”