A COUNCIL'S plan to designate where it should build homes and developments over the next 14 years has cost it more than £570,000.

Cherwell District Council said it had spent the money between September 2015 and the end of March to prepare for its Local Plan.

The controversial project includes a proposal to build 4,400 homes in the south of the district near Kidlington.

Opponents say that it would merge villages into one.

Begbroke Parish Council submitted a freedom of information request to find out the costs of the Local Plan so far.

Lindsay Gregory, a Begbroke parish councillor, said: "It amazed me that we are in July and Cherwell is spending £500,000 [on preparation for the Cherwell Local Plan].

"I think it’s a news story that needs to be brought to people’s attention.

"Cherwell District Council has spent all this money on trying to push this through. At the end of the day I would want to know what they’ve spent money on."

Cherwell District Council said it had spent £571,955.12 between September 1, 2015 and March 31, 2018 on consultants, legal fees, external printing and copying, external advertising, venue hire and temporary staff on its Local Plan.

Legal fees cost £25,500.

Other costs could be incurred as an examination has be undertaken in public over the Local Plan.