More student flats could be destined for the city centre after council planning chiefs gave the nod for a bigger scheme on the Barretts Jaguar site.

The application still has to go before the planning committee tonight (Tuesday) but the plans are considered by officers to be an "effective use of a brownfield site, while preserving the character and appearance of the conservation area."

The proposals have recently been revised to provide 143 beds within the development after a first application for 120 was approved 10 months ago.

It will run along Pound Lane and St Peter’s Street and include three and four storey buildings with a mix of en suite, studio and one bedroom flats.

There will also be office accommodation, a study area, guest suite, a laundry room and toilet facilities.

The redevelopment has come about because of Barretts need to relocate its Jaguar operation to a new site together with Land Rover in Broad Oak Road.

The Jaguar showroom at street level in St Peter's Street is expected to remain retail.

A public consultation on the original scheme produced a "very positive" response, say the applicants.

They also argue that aesthetically the scheme is much the same as the original one already granted but had been re-configured internally to create more beds.

The applicants say it will accommodate overseas students which is a growth market in the city.

But concerns have been raised by several city residents and county councillor Ida Linfield about the lack of on-site parking and potential increase in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Another objector, Steve Watson, said: "It's vital we preserve the historic nature of the city centre, this kind of high density housing is unacceptable."

Some residents fear it will lead of more anti-social behaviour in the city centre - a view supported by student landlord John Morgan.

"Granting planning permission for an ever increasing number of purpose-built student accommodation blocks is only creating huge problems in other parts of the city," he said.

"This will lead to more late noise for residents in St Peter's Lane with the usual problem of inebriated noisy students ringing doorbells, moving wheelie bins and shouting loudly."

But in a letter of support, chartered surveyors Caxtons, argues there is not the same culture among overseas students as UK based students which fuels the market for the one-bedroom alternatives to houses in multiple occupation.

The application will come before the council's planning committee for a decision at a meeting at the Guildhall at 6.30pm this evening.