A controversial kickabout area in Cowley remains open - six months after it was agreed to sell and relocate the site.

Residents asked for action over footballs repeatedly thudding into their homes after coming over the fences of the small, concrete recreation area in Crescent Road.

But despite members of Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee agreeing to investigate the sale of the site in October, it is still open and causing problems.

Ben Mumby-Croft, who lives opposite, said: "We've been living with this problem for five years.

"It's utterly outrageous that nothing has been done when the committee has already basically agreed to dispose of the land, sell it on and reinvest that money on siting it elsewhere."

He claimed his home had been hit six times in two hours earlier this week and a ball hit one of his windows so hard he feared it would smash.

He said: "It is a really poor location for a play area because it's so close to housing on all sides."

Mr Mumby-Croft, 33, said he had to replace his front door because it had splintered after being hit by balls. Hanging baskets, guttering and drains had also been destroyed by footballs from the kickabout area.

He said: "It's persistent, minor damage and persistent, minor disruption. I want to know what is being done and have a clear timetable for when it's going to happen.

"It's been handled really badly and is completely unacceptable."

Staff at Oxford Brookes University, which has a hall of residence backing on to the site, lock the facility each evening to cut down on disruption later at night.

The university has complained about problems including damage to guttering, roof slats, light fittings and cars and said staff had been injured by balls coming over the fence.

Hall manager Chrissy Knight said they suffered with abusive youths, fires, drug abuse, litter and bike thefts.

A council spokesman said: "The area committee last year agreed to close the kickabout area subject to an alternative site for the facility being found.

"The assessment of suitable alternative locations has been taking place. Work is also progressing in respect of the disposal arrangements for the current site in Crescent Road.

"Before any disposal can proceed, any planning issues that relate to the site will need to be resolved. These are issues that cannot be fully addressed until an alternative site has been found."