A planned extension to a village church has split a community.

Planning officers, building experts and some villagers say they are worried about the effect of an extension on the Church of St Mary in Long Wittenham, near Didcot.

But parish councillors and other villagers say the proposed parish room would be an asset to the community.

South Oxfordshire District Council's conservation department is opposed to the plan for the single-storey extension at the north side of the church, as are some nearby residents.

Planning officers said the scheme should be refused because it would detract from the appearance of the medieval church.

But the parish council wants the extension allowed, saying it will provide a useful meeting room for the church and the village.

Oxfordshire County Archaeological Service, English Heritage, the Ancient Monuments Society and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings have said they would not lodge formal objections but were uneasy about the development because they felt it did not fit in well with the church.

The issue will be decided by district council western area planning committee members who will visit the church before their meeting on Wednesday, January 8.

Planning permission for an almost identical scheme was refused in April.