IT looks like Wheatley will not be home to the smallest home in Oxfordshire as councillors unanimously threw out plans for the home the size of a 'shoe box'.

The plan to squeeze a one-bedroom house smaller than a double garage into the gap in High Street, Wheatley was rejected despite planning officer's recommendation to approve it.

District councillor David Turner said after the meeting on Wednesday night: "I guess we all felt that it was just far too small a space to put a proper home in and it also had implications for the neighbour."

Applicant Mark Keely wanted to squeeze a kitchen, living room and bathroom into the two-storey 35sqm home behind several flats he has already developed at number 95.

Although Wheatley district councillor, Toby Newman did not sit on the committee he said councillors felt they were unable to approve the application because it was not in keeping with the village.

He said: "The application is right at the heart of the conservation area in Wheatley.

"It was out of keeping with the village and so I know that was one of the reasons why councillors voted against it."

Speaking to the Oxford Mail ahead of the meeting, neighbour Tess Harris said she hoped councillors would see that it was too small a place for someone to live in.

She said: "I want to exercise my right as a home owner to have my home the way I bought it several years ago and not have it changed by having this shoe box built which would overlook it."