Neighbours have failed to win a 16-year fight to get a huge tree chopped down. But they have won a concession it is to be lopped by two thirds.

Residents say the horse chestnut tree in Ferry Hinksey Road, west Oxford, has for years blighted their gardens, blocking out light, dropping sticky buds, leaves and branches and its extensive roots stop anything else growing.

But council officers are adamant the tree should stay because it does not present a danger to people or property.

Denis O'Donoghue, one of the neighbours who wanted the tree felled, welcomed the decision.

He said: "Two thirds off would be a big help. I would get a bit of sunlight but I still want the whole thing down completely.

"We get no daylight especially in summer when it is in full foliage. It is like a big depressing cloud hanging over us but the council won't listen. We will discuss the matter and see what we want to do next.

"They say it's not dangerous, but heavy branches can fall off in the kind of weather we are having now."

Andrew Parsons, the city council's parks officer, said the residents could appeal, but the move might force planners to serve a preservation order to secure the tree's future.

He added: "Our tree officer has investigated. We are proposing a fairly dramatic reduction. We don't just fell trees because residents want them felled. The planning department's and our view is that it needs some work to it, not felling. It will grow back, but our view is that it needs management rather than felling."