PLANS to turn a derelict site in Littlemore into much needed housing have been thrown out.

Campaigners last night called for action to be taken about the former Dominion Oils site, which has lain empty for more than a decade.

They said the site was an eyesore attracting flytippers and should instead be used to plug Oxford’s housing shortfall.

Proposals to build 78 homes have been sent back to the drawing board – potentially causing years of further delays – after being rejected by a planning inspector.

Littlemore parish council chairman Dorian Hancock said residents were eager to see the long-empty site developed.

He said: “This has been going on for years and it’s just become a tipping ground now.

“I think the general consensus in Littlemore is that we would much rather see something done with that unsightly site, the sooner the better. The developer should play the game and work with the council on this.”

WE Black Ltd applied for permission to Oxford City Council in September last year.

The firm later appealed to the planning inspectorate against the non-determination of the bid, but was turned down over concerns about the lack of a heritage statement, which examines the impact a development will have on the surrounding area.

Littlemore city councillor Gill Sanders said: “We are desperately in need of housing in Oxford, and this is a site which could be developed, but it needs to be the right kind of housing.

“The site is completely derelict, it’s a complete waste of land.”

Nik Lyzba, from planning firm JPPC, said WE Black, which owns the site, would probably now put in a new application.

He said the firm was due to talk with the council to try to address the issues raised.

He said: “The inspector’s letter says there are a number of issues that the city council raised, and it hasn’t gone on to deal with those issues because of the lack of a heritage statement.

“There are other issues and in relation to each of those we hope to address them and will be contacting the council about them.”

In 2004, WE Black Ltd applied for permission to demolish Station House on the site and build 33 homes and eight live-in work units, along with 110 parking spaces. The application was refused.

Then in 2007, the company launched a bid to build 85 homes and 114 parking spaces, but the application was withdrawn.

The latest application, submitted late last year, includes 78 houses and flats, including three with five bedrooms, four with four, 32 with three, 26 with two and 13 with one.