Boats close to Jericho's crumbling boatyard have been turned into drug dens, say local residents.

And they have asked developers for permission to take over the derelict site and run it as a boatyard, to boost the area and prevent it becoming rundown.

Residents believe the derelict-looking yard is attracting vagrants to the area.

Boats in nearby Castle Mill Stream have been sunk or used as drug dens, creating an eyesore in an area many believe should be a thriving gateway to the city.

Residents say the problem could get worse if the stalemate continues between developers and Oxford City Council.

In December, the council rejected plans by developers Spring Residential to build 54 flats on the boatyard site and it remains unused while developers consider an appeal.

Adrian Arbib, a boatyard campaigner and Jericho resident, said: "There have always been drug users in the area and it has always been scruffy in places, but never to the degree it is at the moment.

"One boat was left abandoned and heroin addicts got on it - genuine boaters do not want people shooting up in the hedges, they want a clean environment.

"Quite simply, if the boatyard was in use this would not be happening. The problem now is that it's been left to rot through bad planning. There is undoubtedly a feeling in Jericho that the area is in decline."

In December, boatyard campaigners, led by Oxford author Philip Pullman, gave councillors a standing ovation when they threw out Spring Residential's plans.

But without planning permission, Spring Residential said it remained uncertain of its next step and was "in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate".

Jenny Mann, secretary of Jericho Community Association, said: "As residents, we would much rather the boatyard was back.

"It was an active space, the boaters supervised it. The lack of a boatyard is definitely bringing the area down.

"Without it, there is a real problem."

Andy Wilkins, managing director of Spring Residential, said: "We are currently considering our options but are minded to appeal.

"We are not considering going back to the drawing board necessarily, we could go back to the council with the same plans. We have no timescale as such as we are in other people's hands.

"All I can say regards the site is that it is boarded up and secure. It's not there for public access and no one can get in.

"We have taken every measure we can to make sure it's safe."

Spring Residential's plans included 54 one- and two-bedroom flats, 16 parking spaces, a public square, a lifting bridge and a boat repair berth.

The company also offered to pay £126,000 towards providing an alternative boatyard in Yarnton.

The plans were rejected for reasons including a lack of affordable and energy efficient housing, not enough financial contributions to local services and an inadequate replacement boatyard design.