City planners have unanimously rejected "absurd" proposals to demolish the Manor Ground and replace it with a revamped Acland hospital and 87 flats.

It is the second time the proposals have been thrown out by Oxford City Council's planning committee in the past 15 months.

The venture was widely condemned during a meeting of the committee yesterday at the town hall in St Aldate's.

The committee heard that an extra 211 staff would be employed at the Headington site and the number of patients would rise from 150 to 310 a day. Vehicle movements would also increase from 580 to 940 a day.

Councillors cited a series of reasons for their objections, many of which have already been voiced by members of the public. Objections include extra noise and increased traffic. They also said it went against the local plan and did not include new community facilities.

Councillor Maureen Christian said: "This is an absurd over-intensive use of this site.

"Not only is this going to ruin the lives of the people put there but there will be a tremendous impact on the people who already live nearby."

Councillor Mary Clarkson added: "The impact of noise is unclear as no assessment has been made."

The plans rejected yesterday were slightly amended with the hospital given a more central location and an underground car park reduced from 135 spaces to 120.

No-one at Acland Hospital was available for comment.