The Oxfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes could face funding problems after plans to convert its Oxford headquarters into student housing were quashed.

A planning application to redevelop the WI building in Middle Way, Summertown, into three-storey office accommodation and 18 student flats has been rejected by Oxford City Council.

The federation wanted to use the development to fund relocating its headquarters to Court Farm Barns in Tackley, near Kidlington.

But the city council's north area committee said the design was too bulky and would look out of place in Middle Way.

The federation is part of the national network of Women's Institutes and co-ordinates the work of about 5,000 WI members in towns and villages in the county.

Representing the WI, developer Douglas Riach said: "They're afraid they will not be able to sell the building and fund their relocation.

"We have taken great pains to ensure we came up with a design that will fit in with the street.

"We believe it is appropriate. Two colleges are interested in using the site."

The federation used the building for 40 years before moving to Tackley in October.

Treasurer Pauline Goddard said: "It wouldn't have been cost efficient for us to stay there. We needed a livelier setting."

Planning officers advised councillors to reject the application, saying approval would mean the loss of a community facility and increased pressure on parking.

The building is available for public hire and has been used as a polling station for several years.

The WI was unavailable for comment.