Major plans to build 120 houses in a village south of Bicester have been refused by the planning authority.

An outline planning application for the houses in Ambrosden was voted down by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee on Thursday, July 13.

Councillor Chris Pruden, who represents Bicester South and Ambrosden, spoke against the plans submitted by Archstone Ambrosden Ltd, Bellway Homes Ltd and Ros.

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

He said: “Ambrosden has had a lot of development in recent years. Over the last 10 years, the population has increased by 21.7 per cent.

He added: “The village has not had anything added to it in terms of real value. No new shops, no venues of any kind, there is nothing for people to do there.”

Many objections were raised during the public consultation stage, with villagers complaining about the increase of traffic and impact on infrastructure.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire: 53-home plan in town near Bicester refused

Cllr Pruden said: “I tried to read all the public comments, and every time I tried to download them all, it crashed the website there was so many.

“I think that must say something about the public demand to give Ambrosden a break from all this development.”

David Bainbridge from planning agents Savills spoke in support of the plans at the meeting.

“There are multiple benefits that arise from the proposed development which we consider outweigh the harm," he argued.

He claimed it was a sustainable development because it would have social, economic and environmental benefits.

Despite his arguments, councillors voted to refuse the plans in line with recommendations from case officer Natasha McCann.