Plans for 85 new houses opposite Bicester airfield would increase the danger to pilots and residents in the event of an emergency, an inquiry has heard.

Kimberley Developments and Barratt Maidenhead want to build 85 houses on the corner of Buckingham Road and Skimmingdish Lane, behind Cooper's Green.

Windrushers Gliding Club, based at the former RAF Bicester site, said the proposed houses would fall under a flight-path giving aircraft a very tight height clearance on take-off.

Club chairman Alan Jenkins said the development would reduce possible escape routes if something went wrong.

He said: "Whilst the Windrushers Gliding Club takes every possible measure to minimise safety risks, and schools train all pilots to adopt safe circuit planning, the possibility of an aircraft undershooting the airfield cannot be excluded entirely.

"For obvious reasons any structure on the approach increases the risk of damage, injury and death."

Mr Jenkins added the club was also worried the development would destroy RAF Bicester's historic setting.

Last December Cherwell District Council refused to allow the development, saying the land was earmarked for recreational use on local planning documents.

Councillors also said the land was valuable because it linked neighbouring open fields.

But the housing developers said the site was virtually unused for recreation and there was no public money to buy the land.

They added the size, shape and location of the site restricted its potential for recreation and said it did not make a major impact on the feeling of openness in the area.

Planning consultant Nigel Moor, speaking on behalf of the developers, said he believed the site should be considered as brownfield land.

He said: "The loss of this site for open space has little weight when contrasted with the enormity and urgency of acknowledged housing needs."

The council's planning officer, Bob Duxbury, said: "The appeal site is the last vestige of openness before the town is entered properly. The appeal proposed represents sporadic development in the countryside."

The council added it was working hard to meet demand for housing in the medium and long-term future.