Plans to build office blocks and university halls of residence in Oxford have been turned down, after objections from residents.

Oxford Brookes University wanted to develop a site in Marston Road but residents said the scheme would overload the area's sewage system and cause traffic congestion.

City councillors said Thames Water needed to do more about the area's overloaded sewers.

Committee chairman Maureen Christian said: "We have sympathy with Oxford Brookes because they have inherited the drainage problems, but it would be wrong of us to approve developments on this site until they are sorted out."

Julie Treanor, director of corporate affairs at the university, said: "We are very disappointed. This decision sets back our plans to free up properties in the local private rented market by housing more students on campus."

Council officers had recommended the plans -- to build three-storey blocks of student accommodation, a hall of residence and a three-storey office block -- should be deferred until Thames Water had examined the drainage problems.