A £57m Oxford University scheme to create a science campus in Headington looks set to be approved by Oxford city councillors.

As part of the deal, the university is expected to fund a car parking scheme in East Oxford in the face of concerns about traffic congestion in the area.

More than 300 staff will be based at the redeveloped campus in Old Road, near the Churchill Hospital, sparking fears of major parking problems.

The university wants to demolish four existing buildings to make way for two medical research buildings on three floors, plus basement.

Neighbours raised concerns about the height of the new buildings and the impact on local roads.

But planning officers will recommend that the city council’s East Area Planning Committee approves the scheme on Wednesday.

The report to councillors said: “The buildings are considered to be appropriate in scale, massing and appearance. There would be no harm to the character and appearance of the Old Road or Roosevelt Drive street scene.

“Neither would it harm any residential amenities.”

It also dismisses fears the development would lead to excessive water run-off into a brook, and threaten the nearby Lye Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest.

But the report does call for special measures to be taken “to protect sensitive residential areas from further congestion” and stop more cars flooding into the area, and suggests the university could be made to pay for a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Divinity Road and Lye Valley area.

East Oxford campaigner Sietske Boeles said: “It is still a horrendous development. The size and height of the buildings is out of keeping with the area and will particularly affect people living in Old Road.

“But we are delighted that the CPZ seems to be part of the proposal.”

The Divinity Road scheme was approved nearly two years ago but after a major consultation Oxfordshire County Council said there was no money to pay for it.

News that the CPZ is back on the agenda was welcomed by staff and residents at Jack Howarth House, a residential facility for cerebral palsy sufferers at nearby Hill Top Road, who have complained about cars parked on the pavement.

Jack Howarth Team co-ordinator, Monique Kings-ton, said: “Cars are parked on both sides of the road.

“It makes it difficult for our minibus to get through and we worry about access for emergency services.

“It really puts wheelchair users off wanting to go out.”

The Highways Authority said £218,000 should now be requested from the university for other transport measures, including CPZs, cycling and walking infrastructure, enhanced park-and-ride services and a bus shelter close to the site.

Meanwhile, the university has applied for permission for a temporary car park for 100 spaces as part of the redevelopment.