A BID to put eight gipsy caravans on a former landfill site in West Oxfordshire was thrown out.

Councillors rejected the plan for Stanton Harcourt, south of Witney, as the site was “not made safe for human occupation” because of pollution from the land.

There were also concerns about lack of “appropriate screening”.

A West Oxfordshire District Council report added: “(The homes) would appear as an intrusive and alien feature, detrimental to the established rural character and appearance of the area.”

The plan was for eight mobile homes and eight utility rooms off Tar Road. It was previously used by gipsies without planning permission but they have since left.

The Environment Agency warned of “significant levels of ammonia and landfill gases”.

Some 20 letters opposed the plan with fears about the impact on schools, health, roads and the environment.

Applicant Daniel Delaney said there was a “very small or no risk” from the gases and said protection could be provided by gas-proof membranes and pledged to plant trees.

A committee rejected the scheme on Monday.