PLANS to build almost 4,000 homes north of Oxford could ‘turn the Green Belt policy on its head’, a campaign group has warned.

Cherwell District Council has proposed that 3,990 homes are built on the protected land between Oxford and Kidlington – to contribute to the city’s unmet housing need.

To build on Green Belt land there has to be ‘exceptional circumstances’ and the Campaign to Protect Rural England feared if the plan was passed it could be the whole Green Belt at risk.

Director of the group’s Oxfordshire branch, Helen Marshall, said: “By declaring that proximity to Oxford is itself an exceptional reason to build on the Green Belt which surrounds the city, fundamentally undermines its very purpose, risking opening the whole Green Belt to development.

“A very strong case has to be made to establish the exceptional circumstances required and the Cherwell plan goes nowhere near making such a case.

“We believe there are a number of alternatives.

She added that the houses could be built elsewhere in the Cherwell district or sites in the city could be built more densely to make up the numbers.

The plans, currently out to consultation, would see a 1,950-home community built on land east of the A44 at Begbroke.

While 1,180 homes have been allocated to land north of Oxford between Cutteslowe and the A34, including North Oxford Golf Club.

A further 530 homes are planned near Yarnton, and 330 more near Kidlington.