AN ANNOUNCEMENT by housing minister Caroline Flint last week saw Weston-on-the-Green, in Oxfordshire, shortlisted for one of the Government's controversial new 'eco-towns' – a plan which could see the creation of 10,000-15,000 homes just three miles south-west of Bicester.
Meanwhile, a proposal to build an eco-town near Little Horwood, in Bucks, was rejected.
Advertiser & Review reporter
Kerry Hathway spoke to local councillors and residents this week for their reactions.
THE eco-town bid for Weston-on-the-Green, known as Weston Otmoor, is expected to include around 15,000 homes, a new railway station, a tram service and community facilities.
Tony Henman, from the Weston Front, which is campaigning against the development said: "It is quite clear the county and district councils are completely opposed to the 'eco-town'.
"The big problem is the sustainability of Bicester – a lot of time, money and energy has been put into building up Bicester to what it is today. If an 'eco-town' is built on its doorstep, I feel Bicester will come second and that everyone will concentrate on the 'eco-town' to the detriment of Bicester."
He added Weston-on-the-Green and other villages surrounding the proposed development would be holding a public meeting on April 23, at 6pm, to discuss the bid. The meeting will be at Weston-on-the-Green Village Hall to be followed by a village meeting at 8pm.
Cherwell District Council claims the development would have adverse effects on the green belt around the village, have a negative impact on traffic and affect the regeneration of existing towns.
Roger Sporle of Parkridge, the developer behind the Weston Otmoor proposal they were delighted the plans had met with support. Eco-towns are designed to be built on brownfield sites using technology to create communities with no net carbon emissions.
Eco-town decision is welcomed in Little Horwood. Click
here.