A COMMUNITY group hoping to transform a derelict farm on Shotover Hill, Oxford, into a green education centre has been told there are "critical issues" with its plan.

The Westhill Farm Project would initially see a burnt-out building on the site knocked down and rebuilt as a new £35,000 eco-friendly farmhouse by 2019.

Volunteers said a barn on site could also be converted to temporary living quarters, an office and workshops for £50,000.

This would be funded by donations and grants, with backers saying the site would eventually pay for itself through income from courses, selling produce and renting space within three years.

They estimated it would have an annual running cost of £130,000, with £45,000 coming from 500 "partners" paying £50 annually and another 1,000 "friends" paying £20 annually.

But a review of the business plan carried out for Oxford City Council by consultants BDO said it was "not fit for purpose".

It said the group lacked a formal governance structure and had not said how it would measure its success, also raising concerns it had not supported its proposals with evidence to make sure its costings were accurate.

In its conclusion it wrote: "The group have presented the council with a plan that proposes to use the farm in a manner that would serve the local community.

"However, from our review we have identified critical issues that serve to undermine the information that has been included within the plan. Consequently, we conclude it is not fit for purpose."

The review said use of the farm would increase traffic on both the Ridings and the Old Road. It said there was no evidence to show people living nearby supported this.

No estimate was provided for how many visitors were needed each year to allow the site to break even, it added, and copies of quotes given for building work were not included.

The plan also relied on securing £20,000 in annual grant funding but did not include proposals for how it would get the money. According to BDO, the estimated annual running cost was expected to be £147,957, not £130,000 and there were no estimates for the costs of running either a proposed cafe or farm shop on site.

In a report to the scrutiny committee, city council executive director for housing and regeneration David Edwards said there were "significant concerns" about the Westhill Farm project proposals.

He told councillors that demolition of the buildings there had previously been delayed to allow the group to make a plan.

He added: "The council proposes to continue with the demolition of the derelict farmhouse on the grounds of public safety and make good the site."

Members of the Westhill Farm project group could not be reached for comment.