A controversial housing development has been put on hold until councillors examine the site for themselves.

They fear for the quality of life for buyers of homes on the Walter Wilder site beside Wallingford's Riverside Park.

And they would prefer a mixed housing and commercial development to safeguard small firms already there.

Members of South Oxfordshire District Council western area planning committee said the quality of life would be poor because of:

Noise from two firms remaining on the site

Footballers swearing on a nearby all-weather pitch

The height of a fence to deaden industrial noise

Floodlighting from a sports field being on until 10pm, and

The loss of open space.

Planning officers have advised councillors to grant permission for the 28-home development on the site at The Street, Crowmarsh, which would stretch to the edge of the Riverside Park.

Members decided to visit the site before making a decision at their next meeting at the end of January.