PLANS for major alterations at Worcester College have fallen foul of a conservation group.

Despite being designed by the architects behind the award- winning Ashmolean Museum extension, the £3m scheme in Worcester Street faces strong opposition from Oxford Preservation Trust.

The group is concerned about the impact on the city’s central conservation area.

The college wants to build a lecture theatre, new kitchen and all day cafe opening out into the college’s famous gardens.

Worcester hopes to complete the £3m scheme by 2014 to coincide with its 300th anniversary.

But the preservation trust is urging city councillors to reject the scheme, claiming too much would be crammed onto the small site, with new buildings “turning their back” on the city.

In a letter to the council, trust director Debbie Dance says: “The site chosen is a very tight site which sits against the boundary wall on to Worcester Street.

“The existing building elevations here are broken by interesting roofscapes and rhythmic window patterns, presenting pleasing elements within the street scene, which it would be a pity to lose.

“We are disappointed to see that the proposed buildings in being designed to face into the college, turn their back on the street.

“They will be visually prominent and will not add to the central conservation area.”

The new Pump Quad Building would form the centrepiece of the scheme.

The shape of the quad has remained unchanged since the 15th century, with much of the fabric on three sides original.

The designs have been drawn up by Rick Mather Architects, who created the Ashmolean’s Museum £61m extension and the museum’s new galleries displaying its Ancient Egyptian collections.

The company was appointed by Worcester following a design competition.

Josephine Quinn, the college vice-provost, said after the appointment: “We are excited about the scheme proposed by RMA, which is ingenious, practical and beautiful.

The design statement to the city council says: “In particular Worcester College wish (sic) to enhance the heart of the college and improve the service relationship between dining spaces and kitchen.”

It adds that no work is proposed within the Grade II listed gardens themselves, with its setting improved by the removal of a 1950s wall.

Fiona Austria, of Rick Mather Architects, said: “The new building provides essential new facilities for the college, namely new kitchens, a dedicated and accessible lecture theatre and ancillary facilities.

“The building is adjacent to the south of the historic centre of the college behind the stone wall adjoining Worcester Street.

“The design, and in particular the view from Worcester Street, has been developed in consultation with the city and English Heritage and has been further refined following public consultation in March.”