Plans to dig a library into the lawn of an historic college have been branded “brutal” and “ugly”.

The scheme by 550-year-old Magdalen College has been thrown out by Oxford City councillors.

The college wanted to build out the mid-19th century library, off High Street, on to the lawn and said the L-shaped extension was vital to create more space for its 600 students.

But the council’s west area planning committee threw out the plan last week, despite planning officers backing the scheme.

Councillor Graham Jones said: “The design is utilitarian to the point where it is brutal. It is so out of kilter with the existing building.”

Councillor Elise Benjamin said: “Even though it is a very innovative way of doing it, some of the elements are really quite ugly.

“This doesn’t do what it needs to do without harming the building and existing setting.”

But Colin Cook said: “Buildings are here to be used. It is important that we allow owners of buildings to make the best use of them.”

The design is a “sympathetic intervention” he said, adding: “It is a good way of addressing the needs of the college.”

And planning officer Angela Fettiplace said the plan “forms an appropriate visual relationship” with the Grade II-listed library.

Yet Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society’s David Clark said the proposed removal of elements added by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott were “highly deplorable”.

Sir Giles transformed the building into a library when it was used by Magdalen College School from 1928 to 1931.

The new plans would also have made internal alterations to the existing library to put in a staircase and lift to provide disabled access.

Mr Clark said: “We completely understand the problems and requirements for a new library and we would suggest a solution is a brand new library building.”

But college investment bursar Charles Young said leaders had spent “many many years” trying to address the “fundamentally inadequate” library space and the plan was the “best solution”.