Three communities have taken the next step towards holding a referendum to try and get more influence over planning decisions.

Community leaders in Summertown, St Margaret’s and Wolvercote want to draw up neighbourhood plans setting out what type of new building schemes people would support.

The plan – allowed under the Localism Act 2011 – will have to be taken into account when Oxford City Council considers schemes such as houses and supermarkets.

Its city executive board this week approved the boundaries of the areas as the first step towards a public vote.