City councillors have backed frustrated residents of Jericho in Oxford by opposing plans for a canalside redevelopment.

Joint plans by landowners British Waterways and developers Bellway Homes for 46 homes - some of three and four storeys, which would block the view of the listed St Barnabas' Church - were described by one councillor as "a sheer act of vandalism".

Members of the central, south and west area planning committee agreed to recommend that strategic development control colleagues take the same robust stance over protecting the future of the historic area to the west of the city centre when they meet in two weeks' time.

Committee chairman Bob Price offered words of support to Jericho residents, who joined the meeting to voice their opposition to the plans

"I think I can safely say my colleagues and I completely concur with you," he told one objector at the meeting in the town hall.

The Labour councillor for Hinksey Park, Rick Muir, dismissed the plans as " a sheer act of vandalism."

He demanded: "What on earth are they doing putting in an application which goes against every policy the council has?"

The proposal also includes a restaurant, a two-storey chandlery, public square, a footbridge to the canal towpath and 37 car parking spaces.

Neither Bellway Homes nor British Waterways were represented at the meeting.

Peter Stalker, speaking on behalf of the Jericho Residents' Community Association, described the proposals as "a dreadful development".

He added: "One could have perhaps expected better from Bellway Homes, who are developers, but one would have expected better from British Waterways, a public authority.

"This is not only a bad proposal, but one which does not take into account any of the existing buildings enclosed in the development area, and which shows a lack of general care and responsibility for the community of Jericho."

Local architect Simon Norris dismissed the Bellway proposals as 'colony housing'. He said: "In the current proposal there is no piazza, no quay, little to excite interest, and nothing to be proud of. Furthermore, there will be the loss of employment and of diversity.

"The Jericho canalside redevelopment is Oxford's last and best, indeed only, chance to secure what we desperately need - that is, a development built around a beautiful square and a calm quayside where generations to come can live, work and enjoy life."