A controversial move to consider three city sites for a £1m cemetery have been dropped in favour of land in Horspath.

Oxford City Council has been looking for a cemetery for years as it could run out of space to bury the dead within a decade.

Four sites had been shortlisted; recreation land in Five Mile Drive; Hill View Farm, Marston and land south or north of Oxford Road in Horspath.

But a new report to the council’s executive has effectively ruled out the first three sites and is asking councillors to back borehole tests on land north of Oxford Road, Horspath.

It said Five Mile Drive needs remediation and would cause high disruption and ground conditions south of Oxford Road are not suitable.

The report said road and ground costs would be too much at Hill View Farm.

It says the 7.2-hectare Oxford Road site, near Horspath athletics ground, has access, is suitable and would provide burial land for about 70 years.

However, the land is within the greenbelt and would cost about £1m to develop into a cemetery.

The report also said there is an Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) covenant limiting the use to public open space, which could “pose an issue for development”.

It said: “This covenant requires some legal interpretation, which may or may not impact our ability to consider the site.”

David Horsley, chairman of Horspath Parish Council, said: “We don’t have a problem with a burial ground, but we think the site is not suitable.

“Our experience with our own burial ground, which is nearby, is problems with drainage – the field is susceptible to severe flooding in winter.”

It will cost the city council about £15,000 to complete investigations.

The proposal for Five Mile Drive angered residents and recreation ground users including Summertown Stars FC.

Headington and Rose Hill cemeteries are full while spaces are available at Botley and Wolvercote.

Executive members will decide the issue on Wednesday at 5pm at Oxford Town Hall. The public can attend.