Campaigners are inviting residents of Bicester and nearby villages to join them in the fight against the proposals, which have been submitted by the prospective developer Parkridge, to build a new town of 15,000 homes near Weston-on-the-Green, a few miles south-west of Bicester.

Members of the Weston Front campaign group claim the creation of Weston Otmoor, a project which has been shortlisted by the Government, could wreck 2,000 acres of farmland, destroy a site of special scientific interest, and cause gridlock on roads around Bicester.

Tony Henman, father of tennis star Tim Henman and a resident of Weston-on-the-Green, has become a spokesman for the Weston Front.

He said: "If this new town goes ahead it could result in 15,000 new houses, approximately 25,000 new cars on local roads where there is already mass congestion, and could destroy 2,000 acres of farmland including greenbelt land and a site of special scientific interest.

"Our recent research has demonstrated that the vast majority of the 70,000 homes within 30 minutes of the site are completely unaware of what has been proposed. This is a new town far larger than Bicester being dropped into the countryside without real thought for the impact it will have. The A34-M40 junction is already heavily congested and putting an additional 25,000 cars on the road will result in gridlock."

Wildlife trust BBOWT fears its Woodsides Meadow nature reserve near Bicester will also be destroyed by the 'eco-town', and has added its voice to the campaign. Oxon county councillors from the Bicester area have called on fellow councillors and the public to reject Weston Otmoor, which they describe as a 'blight on Bicester'.

Cllrs Charles Shouler, Norman Bolster, Catherine Fulljames, Lawrie Stratford and Tim Hallchurch say Bicester residents could suffer if the new town is built.

They fear the town centre redevelopment will find it harder to attract investment, business parks will be in competition with the new town, and 40 acres of new sports pitches around the town could be at risk.

The councillors also said traffic queues could get worse, rat-running could increase, and that there was no local need for so many new houses.
Oxon County Council is due to decide its official response to the Weston Otmoor plan at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Roger Sporle, a director of Parkridge, said representatives of the company were planning to visit the area next week to gauge people's reaction to the proposals for themselves. He said: "We think it's important for everyone to have their say, which is why we're launching our consultation next week to be sure we can capture people's views and use local knowledge and experience to make Weston Otmoor a place that everyone can be proud of. Part of our consultation will include a roadshow visiting 15 local towns and villages, and Weston-on-the-Green is the first port of call, as we recognise the importance of this community in helping to develop our plans."

Sunday's protest rally will start at 3pm on Weston-on-the-Green playing fields. Speakers will include Bicester MP Tony Baldry, Cherwell District Council leader Barry Wood and BBOWT chief executive Philippa Lyons. Protesters will then march through Weston-on-the-Green to the proposed Weston Otmoor site. The deadline for the public to comment on the Weston Otmoor plans is Monday, June 30.