CAMPAIGNERS have accused council leaders of making “backroom deals” after they agreed to share up to 15,000 homes aimed at easing Oxford’s housing shortage across the rest of Oxfordshire.

They said they were “horrified” by the figure – described as a ‘working assumption’ by officials – which had been agreed without “any concern for public opinion”.

Council leaders confirmed the number after more than 18 months of negotiations, but have yet to say where the thousands of extra homes could actually go.

It came after a report published last year said between 24,000 and 32,000 homes were required to meet the city’s “need” by 2031 – in addition to up to 74,500 in the four rural districts over the same period.

Oxford City Council said there was room for just 10,000 in its boundaries and called on neighbours for help, with a countywide review under way to find sites for new housing developments.

As part of that the six councils – the voting members of the Oxfordshire Growth Board – have produced a study of protected Green Belt land, which the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) fears could be “targeted” for development.

Helen Marshall, CPRE Oxfordshire director, said: “We are horrified by the growth of the board’s decision-making process, which appears to have been done entirely behind closed doors and without any concern for public opinion.

“It is not at all clear how the 15,000 figure has been arrived at or how the councils propose to distribute it.

“This is nothing more than a backroom deal carried out with no consultation and it is clear the Green Belt is going to be targeted.”

In a national report published on Monday the group also said housing need estimates for Oxfordshire were unrealistic and would require “building at virtually double any previous rate”.

But John Cotton, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, rejected claims that the Green Belt would be built on.

He said the 15,000 figure agreed by council leaders was “planning for the worst case”.

Mr Cotton added: “It is on the high side, but there is no harm in planning for that and it keeps things moving forward.”

As part of the agreement, OCC is also to review its Local Plan, which allocates land for development.

Mr Cotton added: “That review is important. It’s the only way of establishing what the city’s need is.”