A householder who divided his semi-detached house into two homes will be forced to change it back.

Cherwell district councillors refused a retrospective planning application for the house in Bernwood Road, Bicester, and agreed to seek enforcement action.

Last year, Anthony Durkin was given planning permission to knock down his three bedroom house and rebuild it with an extra bedroom.

But Mr Durkin divided it into two two-bedroom homes. The council advised him to submit a retrospective planning application.

The move was opposed by neighbours, who signed a petition and sent letters of objection to the council.

Robert and Eve Massey, who live in the adjoining semi, claimed the building work had caused structural damage to their home.

The matter is being investigated by the council's building regulations department.

Following the decision, Mrs Massey said: "We are very pleased with the result and I think most of the residents in Bernwood Road feel the same. It was very upsetting."

Town and district councillor Lawrie Stratford said the application had been refused as the work changed the street's character.

He said it seemed Mr Durkin had always intended to create two homes at the site.

Mr Stratford said: "It has caused disruption to his neighbours and two houses has turned the scene into a terrace."

Senior planning officer Brian Taylor said the enforcement notice would "take a little time" to be put into effect.

He added: "Members wanted us to encourage the applicant to put right the structural damage to the adjoining house."

Mr Durkin, who was unavailable for comment, could lodge an appeal against the decision.

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