Campaigners battling against proposals to build 1,000 homes south of Banbury suffered a major setback this week when Cherwell District Council backed the development.

Members of the Cherwell Heights Action Group saw Monday's council meeting as an almost last-ditch attempt to oppose the move. They have been fighting since 1999 to prevent the massive development, which would extend southwards from Bankside and run parallel to the Oxford Road, as far as Bodicote Park.

A public inquiry, scheduled for February next year, is now their last hope.

The council had met to discuss possible amendments to its Local Plan - which includes the development proposal. Protesters wanted dozens of objections that had not been looked into at previous council meetings to be considered. But the new objections were not discussed.

Member Lynda Thirzie Smart said she was elected to oppose the development.

She said: "If an amendment is not possible, I will vote against the entire Local Plan." However, the council voted 36 to three in favour of adhering to the local plan.

Bob Madge, the chairman of the Cherwell Heights Action Group, said: "I find it amazing that the new objections were not mentioned. Some of the votes in favour of the development were only decided by margins of one or two."