Residents and councillors have criticised plans to sell a derelict cricket ground to raise funds for a £2.5m centre of excellence for rugby and cricket in Oxford.

They said green space would be lost, and schools and health centres put under pressure, if homes were built on the former Headington United Cricket Club ground, in Barton Road.

Dr Andy Young, 39, of Ash Grove, Headington, said: "It's time for those pushing so hard for the development to be approved by city planners to start considering local residents."

He was selected by Headington residents to voice their opposition to the plans.

On April 29, Oxford City Council's north-east area committee recommended refusal.

The strategic development control committee was due to to vote on the issue on April 30. Planning officers have recommended the scheme be refused because a housing development on the greenfield site would go against the authority's policies.

But Nikolas Lyzba, a planning consultant, speaking on behalf of the applicants, said environmental experts had not objected to the loss of green space, provided a replacement could be found.

He said: "The issue here is whether the council is prepared to grasp and support a unique opportunity to provide a centre of excellence through the development of this site."