The casting vote of a committee chairman signalled the go-ahead to plans for nine new flats in Botley, despite fears of parking problems and flooding.

As part of a "car-free" scheme, developers Saxonville can knock down a house at 29 West Way and put up nine, two bedroom flats in a three-storey building - none of which will have parking spaces.

The contentious nature of the plan split councillors on the Vale of White Horse District Council's development control committee.

When it came to the vote seven councillors supported the planning application but an equal number opposed it. The tied vote meant committee chairman Terry Quinlan had to decide.

As chairman he has the opportunity to vote a second time - and he cast his vote in favour.

After the meeting, Mr Quinlan, councillor for North Hinksey, said: "I shared concerns about parking but there is a need for more homes. The arguments were finely balanced as was clear by the tied vote. It was difficult for me having to use my casting vote but on balance I felt that the issue had been thoroughly investigated by officers."

Terry Cox spoke of his worries about parking and the problems the flats might cause. He proposed another independent survey on parking in the area, but other councillors said there would be little value in a second report.

The site is opposite Seacourt Tower. The case for the car-free development included that it would be close to a regular bus service along Botley Road, near a cycle track and residents could use the nearby shopping precinct. The existing access would be closed and there would be no off-street parking.

But opposition came from North Hinksey Parish Council and four residents, who complained that lack of parking spaces would lead to on-street parking problems and the development would worsen existing drainage and flooding problems.

The parish council was concerned about the impact on parking and traffic and claimed the application appeared to "cram-in an unrealistic amount of development." It claimed the site was not suitable as a car-free zone.

A report from planning officers acknowledged there was "considerable" concern about drainage.

Flooding had occurred in the Botley Road and Dean Court areas in the past because there was a combined surface water and foul drain which had overflowed during heavy rain.

But Thames Water said it had no objections to the application provided the surface water drainage was dealt with, and drainage did not connect into the existing drainage system.

County council area engineer Brian Short said compared it to other car-free schemes in other parts of Oxford, he had no objections, subject to certain conditions being imposed.