THOUSANDS of new homes are set to be shared across different parts of the county to help meet demand in Oxford.

Under a plan revealed tonight, a total of 14,300 homes have been assigned to the four districts surrounding the city.

The highest share, 4,950, would be taken by South Oxfordshire.

Meanwhile, 4,400 would go in Cherwell, 2,750 in West Oxfordshire, 2,200 in Vale of White Horse and 550 in Oxford itself.

The figures are the result of studies that examined a shortlist of some 35 sites and whether they could be used for housing.

Officials were keen to stress each local authority would decide individually which sites to develop, but the analysis supported controversial proposals for 2,200 homes on land south of Grenoble Road, near the Kassam Stadium, as part of South Oxfordshire’s total.

The housing numbers are the result of more than two years of negotiations, after a controversial report said more than 100,000 new homes were needed in Oxfordshire by 2031. 

Oxford’s share is about 28,000, but due to a lack of space neighbouring districts agreed to help shoulder some of the burden.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “This has been a lengthy process, but we are pleased it has begun to bear fruit. 

“We look forward to the allocation of appropriate sites to meet Oxford’s needs, so that the homes that are so urgently needed in the most expensive housing market in the country can start to be built.”

The Oxfordshire Growth Board, a body made up of all the council leaders, is set to meet and discuss the agreement on September 26.

They are then due to sign a ‘memorandum of co-operation’, which will include a timetable for building.

Growth board chairman and county council leader Ian Hudspeth said: "It is a well-known fact that housing is a major issue in Oxfordshire, with no easy answers, so it’s important that we all work together to consider the housing needs of the county in the context of economic growth.

"The Oxfordshire Growth Board enables local government and representatives from education, transport and local business to focus on resolving county-wide issues such as housing in a co-ordinated and sustainable way.

"It is welcome news that the Oxfordshire Growth Board now has a comprehensive, county-wide evidence base which is needed to consider a fair and sustainable way to share Oxford’s housing needs beyond the Oxford boundary."