5 December 2012 Last updated at 09:06 ET

Private cancer treatment centre approved in Oxford

The Oxford University Hospitals Trust is concerned the new centre will take its staff

Plans for a private cancer treatment centre in Oxford have been approved, despite objections by a NHS hospital.

Cancer Partners Ltd applied to turn the former Royal Mail site in Littlemore into a patient treatment facility.

The plans were opposed by NHS bosses, concerned the centre would take specialist staff. Cancer Partners said it would give patients greater choice.

Work is expected to start in January with the new centre ready for patients in autumn 2013.

Oxford University Hospitals Trust, which opened a cancer treatment centre at nearby Churchill Hospital in 2009, objected to the centre on the grounds it was unnecessary and might take specialist NHS staff.

Steve Bird, chief executive of Cancer Partners, said: "We bring an added dimension to radiotherapy care and we bring a mix of staff and other experts with us to give patients the best care possible."

Cancer Partners already operates five other centres in England.

Oxford City Council's planning committee approved the change of use application for the building at a meeting on Tuesday night.