A government planning inspector has been called in to decide the fate of an "eyesore" bomb shelter in a conservation area.

The move follows South Oxfordshire District Council's (SODC) refusal to allow a WWII bomb shelter at 1, The Green, Warborough, near Wallingford, to be replaced by a two-storey house.

The council's planning appeals officer Belinda Bond said there were concerns about the impact on surrounding historic buildings.

She said: "The bomb shelter is adjacent to the Grade II*-listed building that was the Old Vicarage and some Grade II-listed walls.

"We also think the new driveway would damage the roots of a large ash tree, which is the subject of a tree preservation order."

The brick and concrete air-raid shelter lies within a walled orchard, and is currently used as a garage.

Miss Bond will join forces with Dr Nick Doggett, SODC's conservation officer, and a council forestry officer, to argue against the redevelopment at an appeal hearing on October 25.

The applicant, Thomas Miller, said he hoped his team would win the day.

Mr Miller's planning consultant, Nick Lyzba, said: "In our view, the development will enhance the conservation area. It would remove a building that is to some extent an eyesore. Clearly there is a difference of opinion, and the hearing will have to sort it out."

Permission to demolish the bomb shelter, as opposed to erecting a new house, has already been granted.

Project architect Aubrey King said: "There will be no damage to any tree roots and the house would be set well back from the listed buildings."