'Dog's dinner' plans to extend a church have been turned down by councillors.

Proposals to build a large extension and relocate the entrance to the Welcome Evangelical Church in Witan Way in Witney were refused by West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planning committee.

Planning officers recommended approval after they said amended plans showed that extensions to the building did not impact flats at next-door Farriers Court and would not block direct sunlight.

The Environment Agency withdrew its earlier objection on condition a drainage scheme was approved prior to commencement.

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Thirteen neighbours objected to the original plans over loss of light, overbearing impacts, overlooking and noise disturbance.

Plans included relocated entrance and large extension at the back (Image: WODC/Welcome Church)

Eight more objected to the amended plans over excessive scale, coming too close to the historic boundary wall, lack of parking and increased risk of flooding.

Following a site visit, Cllr Nick Leverton asked the council planning officer whether he had actually been inside the house they had just been to, which he had not.

Mr Leverton quoted the council's planning policy, which says the development should "be compatible with adjoining uses and not have a harmful impact on the amenity of existing occupants".

He said: "I’ve never seen a worse case of that. I felt that that would destroy the lives of the people living in that property."

He said the council prided itself on permitting high-quality design and this was "not a high quality development".

He described the design as a 'mish mash' and 'a dog’s dinner’.

Cllr Andy Goodwin referred to the officer's report stating that though the extension would "undoubtedly result in some loss of light to the rear facing windows and amenity spaces of nos. 9-11" the situation would be similar to that already existing at 8 Farriers Court.

He said: "Just because it’s close to one property it doesn’t mean it’s right to create that same relationship - or worse - with the others."

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Cllr Alistair Wray asked whether the ‘very considerable’ increase in seat capacity at the church - which was almost double - meant the size of the proposed extension was justifiable.

He asked if the applicant could apply for a single storey rather than double storey extension at the back "which would be better for neighbours".

Planning officer James Nelson said councillors had to make a decision on the application as it was in front of them.

Referring to the site visit earlier in the day, Cllr Julian Cooper said: ‘I’m jolly glad we went there.

"The detrimental effect on the surrounding properties for me is too great."