Controversial plans to build 53 homes in a north Oxfordshire town have been refused.

Pembury Webb’s application to build the houses in Deddington, a town between Bicester and Banbury, was refused by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Thursday, July 13.

Councillor Bryn Williams, the ward member for Deddington, spoke against the development, which would have been built off Hempton Road.

READ MORE: Bicester: Plans for 147 homes refused near Oxfordshire town

He said: “We are not a parish of NIMBYs. We welcome sustainable development.”

He added: “We accept we have the infrastructure to support more development than other parishes, but it has to be sustainable and in suitable locations, not far away from the village centre and its amenities, as this is.”

Cllr Williams pointed to a more preferable site allocated for development under the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan.

READ MORE: Is Star Wars being filmed in this Oxfordshire village?

The committee’s decision to refuse the application came despite a recommendation from the case officer that it should be approved.

In her report, Katherine Daniels said: “Overall, it is considered that the identified harm to the character and appearance of the locality is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme and it is recommended that planning permission is granted.”

Pegasus Group, which prepared a planning statement on behalf of Pembury Webb, said the development had been “designed as a sensitive and logical extension to the village of Deddington” and that it would “deliver a range of social, economic and environmental benefits."