Developer Cherwell Housing has expressed disappointment at having an application to build student flats in Headington turned down.
The company planned to demolish 88 and 90 Windmill Road and 1a Mattock Close and build two blocks of flats for 49 students on behalf of Oxford Brookes University.
A spokesman said: "Our proposal met all the council's planning requirements and had been recommended for approval by its planning officer.
"The decision is all the more perplexing as the scheme would have assisted with the council's policy to provide purpose-built student accommodation to help alleviate the pressure on family housing in the city."
The application was turned down at a meeting of the north east area committee. The firm said it would review its options.
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