A planned bus depot would cause noise nuisance and pollution, a public inquiry heard.

The hearing follows Stagecoach's appeal against a Cherwell District Council decision to refuse planning permission for the depot, which would house 148 buses and minibuses in Kidlington.

On the first day of the hearing, Anthony Crean, representing the council, accused the bus operator of picking the site at Langford Locks, off Langford Lane, as a last resort.

He said: "There is going to be a detrimental effect on residents in terms of noise, if this appeal succeeds. There are going to be 38 minibuses leaving between 5am and 7am." Mr Crean said residents were opposing the development because they should not be expected "to just put up with it".

But Frances Patterson QC, for Stagecoach, said a three-metre high acoustic fence would block out noise at the new site while fumes would be within World Health Organisation guidelines.

She said the firm needed to replace its depot in Horspath Road, Cowley, because it was too small.

The inquiry, held at the council offices in Bodicote House, Banbury, is expected to end on Friday. The decision by inquiry chairman David Jenkins will be known in about three months time.