Historic yard proposal rejected

The boatyard has serviced boats in Oxford for about 160 years

Controversial plans to build 50 luxury flats on an historic boatyard in Oxford have been rejected by councillors.

Campaigners have opposed the redevelopment of the 160-year-old site at Castle Mill, in Jericho.

Author Phillip Pullman joined a silent protest outside the town hall during the Oxford City Council planning meeting on Tuesday.

Developers Spring Residential have said they will launch a formal appeal against the city council's decision.

The Golden Compass

In 2005, campaigners barricaded themselves into the boatyard to stop bailiffs clearing the site after British Waterways sold it to developers.

They were evicted from the site earlier this year but vowed to carry on fighting the plans to turn the area into luxury flats.

The boatyard inspired Mr Pullman in his trilogy, His Dark Materials, the first part of which has been made into the film The Golden Compass.

He said the boatyard was "vital" to Oxford.