The future of the Chinnor cement works is in the balance again.

Since original owners Rugby Cement were taken over by London-based Ready Mix Concrete, plans for its future have been ditched.

County, district and parish councils are now left wondering what the new owners have in mind.

Rugby Cement's plans for the closed works included 12 acres of housing and two acres of business units, as well as the development of part of the site as a water-based recreation area.

But RMC has withdrawn them.

Members of Chinnor Parish Council, worried about the effects any changes might have on their community, are already in informal talks with the new company.

Oxfordshire County Council minerals officer John Duncalfe said: "We expect RMC to put in new plans for the area, but there is nothing forcing them to do so."

A spokesman for RMC said the future of the cement works was still being discussed, with no formal plans at the moment.

The works have dominated Chinnor for a century and been a major employer.