A FORMER 'party house' was repossessed yesterday after cannabis was found growing in the property, neighbours were told.

Police were still outside the building in Newland Mill, Witney, at lunchtime today, after officers and bailiffs raided the home at about 6pm last night.

One police car and a police and forensic officer remained at the scene, while there was a strong smell of cannabis.

The house is believed to be on a long-term let to a man who illegally rented out the property for stag and hen weekends, which led to an injunction against such activity coming into force in January.

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One neighbour told us the property had been 'very quiet' since Christmas, but revealed the activities inside caused severe disruption last summer.

She said: "For a long time, it was a house of multiple occupation (HMO) with no real issue. It was then turned into a party house. 

"He was renting it out on Air BnB, there was a hot tub in the back garden for hen parties and stuff."

The neighbour said the owner of the house had phoned the police after discovering cannabis growing inside.

Residents on the quiet residential street gathered outside the house yesterday after police arrived.

The woman added: "Neighbours were told that the house was being repossessed for the owners, and that cannabis had been grown on the property."

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Some reports suggested eight vehicles had been involved in the raid, but the neighbour said just two had attended and it was 'very orderly'.

She added: "[Newland Mill] is a lovely place to live, it's such a quiet neighbourhood - except that house."

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for comment, but it is not yet known if any arrests have been made.

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Last April, West Oxfordshire District Council refused an application to change the property from an HMO to a guest house. 

Outlining the reasons for refusal, the officers' report read: "[The] property has already been advertised on both UK and European websites. Apparently in some cases stating cash only, leaving neighbours questioning legitimacy and professionalism."

Other concerns were an 'increase in littering from smoking out the front of the property' and increased waste.

The report added: "Guests have also previously put rubbish into neighbours' bins when there was no room left."