PLANS to convert the former Church of England headquarters into a block of flats have been rubbished by council binmen.

The proposals for 20 self-contained apartments in former the Diocese of Oxford offices building in North Hinksey Lane have been put to Vale of White Horse District Council.

But the council's waste team has objected over a lack of bin storage and potential problems with access.

The team also requested a developer contribution of £170 per property - a total of £3,400.

The Diocese of Oxford which formerly occupied the building put it on the market in 2015 after deciding to move to a bigger home in Bannister House at Langford Locks business park, Kidlington.

Planning permission for 15 flats was then approved in October 2016 but the scheme has since been amended to add five more apartments.

The flats would be spread across three floors with 16 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units.

The 8,054sq ft estate could have become an office block, a hotel or a restaurant, subject to planning permission, but it has already been approved for a change of use to flats.

To view the plans go to whitehorsedc.gov.uk and search for P17/V3417/PDO.

A decision is expected to be made by February 16.