Eco-town job plan 'flawed'

6:44pm Thursday 11th September 2008

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The proposed eco-town near Weston-on-the-Green could create up to 15,000 new jobs, the Government will be told.

Developer Parkridge aims to show how jobs would be created at the planned settlement near the A34, in its final bid presentation published today.

But the Government will receive a different message from Oxfordshire County Council.

A County Hall investigation has condemned the scheme as "deeply flawed" and says it should not be pursued.

With 15,000 new homes proposed, Parkridge has created controversy by pledging that at least one job will be provided in the town for each house built.

Until now critics have focused on a proposed rail link with Oxford and Milton Keynes and the eco-town's impact on the A34/M40 junction.

But the Government is being assured that there is "sufficient employment land" to give new residents the opportunity to both live and work in Weston Otmoor.

The promised jobs include 3,000 public sector workers such a nurses and teachers, with up to three secondary and eight primary schools proposed.

But the bid document adds: "There will be an expectation of about 12,000 jobs in 'wealth creating' employment.

"Consequently, new businesses will be encouraged to establish themselves at Weston Otmoor through a combination of easy and quick access to key locations nearby and to London, and the provision of high quality business space, whether that be 'in the home' or in grand headquarters buildings."

Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell said: "Proposals such as this would normally be rapidly dismissed as laughable.

"But my worry is that the Government still appears to be taking them seriously. Put simply, these plans are pie in the sky."

But Parkridge said council officers had not seen the detailed new document before drawing up their response.

Five thousand homes are proposed at Weston Otmoor, with residents offered free tram and train travel to Oxford and Bicester, and homes fitted with transport information panels.

The new document retains plans for controversial road toll charges to enter or leave the village.

But Bob Langton, chairman of Bicester Vision, said such massive job creation would badly affect Bicester. He said: "It would take away investment opportunities in Bicester, which by and large is still a low skill economy. There would be a huge impact."