Villagers in south Oxfordshire are worried their communities will be swallowed up in a new 'super-village'.

About 100 people attended a planning meeting called by Goring Parish Council over plans to develop land to the north of the village.

Property developer James Macadden has applied for permission to convert agricultural buildings at Spring Farm Yard into offices and light-industrial units.

Residents fear it could be the thin end of the wedge, to be followed by housing on surrounding fields, and they oppose the plans.

Smallholder Amanda Smithdale, of Spring Farm House, said 15,000sq ft of commercial property in Goring was vacant and unlet and there was no demand for more.

She said Mr Macadden had more ambitious plans to buy land near the farm buildings for housing.

She said: "People in Goring and South Stoke are horrified at the prospect of being merged as one village."

Open countryside between the two communities would be at risk.

"We would then be viewed as one big 'super-village'," she added.

Goring Parish Council has also opposed Mr Macadden's offices plan.

Norman Radley, its planning committee chairman, said new business premises would increase traffic and access from the B409 was unsuitable.

He said the derelict farm buildings were not of sufficient quality to justify a development on the site.

He added that a larger housing development might follow.

Mr Macadden was unavailable for comment.

The application is being dealt with by South Oxfordshire District Council.