A SITE close to Bicester has been shortlisted for one of the Government's controversial new 'eco-towns'.
Nearby residents and council chiefs have united in criticism of the proposal, which could see the creation of 10,000-15,000 homes just three miles south-west of Bicester.
Villagers in Weston-on-the-Green, where the new Weston Otmoor settlement wou
ld be built, fear their quiet rural existence could be destroyed.
Resident John Mair, a member of the Weston Front campaign group, said: "It's a sleepy village that would be completely transformed."
The shortlist of 15 sites will be whittled down to 10 later this year. More than 40 proposals, including one for a site at Little Horwood near Buckingham, were rejected.
A joint statement released on behalf of Oxon County Council and Cherwell District Council treated the announcement with scepticism.
It said the Weston Otmoor bid would be as large as neighbouring Bicester, and expressed doubts over the amount of infrastructure investment the developers could provide.
Government housing minister Caroline Flint said: "We have a major shortfall of housing and with so many buyers struggling to find suitable homes, more affordable housing is a huge priority.
"To face up to the threat of climate change, we must also cut the carbon emissions from our housing.
"Eco-towns will help solve both these challenges."
It is proposed the Weston Otmoor site would include between 3,000 and 5,000 affordable homes.
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