PLANNING officers in north Oxfordshire are claiming they were right to reject plans to build a hotel, clubhouse, and other buildings at a golf course near Adderbury.

The claims come after a Government planning inspector rejected an appeal by course owner Mike Reed to overturn a decision by Cherwell District Council which refused planning permission for the development at Banbury Golf Club, Aynho Road, Adderbury. The move comes after the district council agreed to the hotel four years ago only for that approval to be overturned by Oxfordshire County Council.

Mr Reed, who did not want to comment on the decision, wants to build a 60-bedroom hotel, clubhouse, floodlit driving range, golf maintenance facility, car park, and access road.

In his report, the inspector said: "The hotel would not be markedly at odds with other similar hotels like the 52-bed hotel proposed for Chesterton Golf Course, near Bicester.

"The hotel element of the application would be physically well integrated with the proposed golf facilities."

But the inspector concluded that the development would unacceptably conflict with the Oxfordshire Structure Plan, Cherwell Local Plan and Government planning policies.

Roger Belson, the county council's executive member for sustainable development, said: "I'm pleased that the united stand of the county and district councils has been supported by an independent inspector. We are determined to protect Oxfordshire's countryside from inappropriate development."

Keith Mitchell, county council leader and local councillor for Adderbury, said: "I am pleased the inspector has upheld the planning law. His decision will maintain the quality of life for local people."