Angry residents fear a village’s Green Belt land will be ruined if Oxford University gets the go-ahead for a controversial road-building scheme.

The university has appealed against Cherwell District Council’s refusal of a road across Green Belt land in Yarnton.

The half-mile road would provide an access route between the A44 and Sandy Lane — and entrance of Oxford University’s Begbroke Science Park.

The bid was rejected by councillors who said the plan was on Green Belt land, but the university has appealed directly to the planning inspectorate who will make a final judgement in coming months.

Residents have been cranking up their opposition to the plans.

John Burford, 58, of Broad Field Road, Yarnton, said about 50 homes would be affected by the planned route.

He added: “It is a road that goes straight through Green Belt land. It would run past the bottom of my garden. We have a nice view here with a quiet field and if you put a road through it there is a visual and noise impact.

“This is about protecting our village and not destroying the Green Belt.”

Neighbour Daphne Payne, 53, said: “I think the university is acting very selfishly.

“I look out my window and you can see deer and birds like woodpeckers and jays in the field.

“A road running through it would completely ruin it for everyone.

“I also think the proposed junction on the A44 would be very dangerous.”

Cherwell District Council rejected the application last year because it was on protected land and against its planning policy.

The university already has planning consent for a road along a different route, which residents say would not affect any houses.

A spokesman for Oxford University said: “The university is under obligation to provide a new access road to continue to develop the Begbroke Science Park.

“Our highway planning consultants tell us that this is the best route, and that is why we are appealing the decision.”

To comment, write to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/01 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, or go to planning-inspectorate.gov.uk with reference number 2095056 before March 9.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk