Controversial plans for a canalside housing development were being debated by council planners today after being scaled down following a public outcry.

Berkeley Homes wants to build the houses on the Unipart site off Woodstock Road in north Oxford.

The Abingdon-based company already has outline permission for a mixed commercial and housing development including up to 160 homes on the existing factory site east of the Oxford Canal.

A second application to build 80 houses and 180 flats on the west side of the canal with 323 parking and 150 cycling spaces along with a bridge over the canal met opposition from local people who said it was too big.

Now the company has submitted plans for 104 flats and 104 houses, 281 car parking spaces and 130 cycling spaces. It also says it will create a wildlife corridor and a public open space.

A planning appeal for the original scheme will be heard in July.

City council planning committee members were being recommended to accept the revised scheme in principle.