Residents from Crowmarsh Gifford near Wallingford celebrated last night after councillors rejected plans for new homes.

Last year father-of-two Philip Tremayne, 64, launched CRAG - Crowmarsh Action Group - after it emerged that plans for three new housing schemes in the village of 450 homes could lead to the village almost doubling in size.

Mr Tremayne, an offshore oil and gas engineer who lives in the village with wife Judith, daughter Kate, 17 and son Luke, 15, is protesting against the Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management proposal for 150 homes east of Benson Lane.

The plans for the Bloor Homes scheme considered by South Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee was recommended for approval but was rejected by councillors.

Mr Tremayne said earlier the sustainability of Crowmarsh was being brought into question by the 'sheer size and disproportionate nature of proposed developments'.

Following the meeting he said: "We have won the battle but not the war."

He added that Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School could not accommodate any more pupils and the roads were not fit for existing traffic.

Exilarch's Foundation and Lightwood Strategic have also put forward plans for 80 new homes in Old Reading Road.

This would include 40 per cent affordable housing, a community hall and enhanced facilities including a sports pitch and car parking for Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School.

And Avant Homes has also applied to build 100 homes near Newnham Manor in the village.

Last month residents renewed demands for council leaders to rebuild the burnt-out SODC headquarters off Benson Lane.

It was almost destroyed in an arson attack in January 2015 and staff for SODC and Vale of White Horse District Council are now based at offices in Milton Park near Didcot.

Last month Mr Tremayne was among villagers urging council leaders to consider the brownfield site for housing after it emerged the local authoristrict council site it would help to spread new homes throughout the village.

South Oxfordshire District Council leader John Cotton said there was still a chance the council could relocate to its Benson lane headquarters.

It has set aside £20,000 this year to cover the cost of security guards patrolling the site.

Before the meeting a spokesman for Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management said: "Our proposals will bring many benefits for Crowmarsh Gifford, particularly much-needed new homes, including 40 per cent affordable housing.

"We will also be providing funding for improvements, through the Community Infrastructure Levy, including a new pedestrian crossing across The Street."

The planning committee is meeting at Didcot Civic Hall.