VILLAGES on the edge of the city identified as perfect for as many as 1,650 new homes are already at breaking point, it has been warned.

Experts suggested that Botley, Cumnor and Chawley are all suitable sites for developments of up to 550 homes each in a bid to address Oxford’s unmet housing need of 14,850 homes.

But Vale of White Horse district councillor Debby Hallett said she was concerned about where space could be found to build these homes.

She said: “We are full to the border in Botley.,It has got people all worked up, which I can understand but we did know we would need to help the city with its unmet housing need.

“We are not in panic mode yet, as this is still a long way off, but it is something we need to look at and start addressing.”

The proposals were unveiled ahead of a meeting of the Oxfordshire Growth Board in County Hall on Monday at 2pm.

But campaign group Keep Cumnor Green said the site labelled “Botley” in the Oxford spatial options report, is actually green belt land in Cumnor.

A spokesman for the group said: “Having won the arguments at the hearings for the local plan with the planning inspector, confirming all the sites in Cumnor that the Vale wanted to build on should be retained in the green belt, we are dismayed to learn the Oxfordshire Growth Board has suggested 1,650 houses could be built on three sites in the green belt around Cumnor.

“We find it amazing, and rather worrying, that sites which are clearly in Cumnor are labelled as Botley and Chawley.

“Yet again, reports which could have a dramatic and negative impact on Cumnor, are riddled with inaccuracies.”

The Vale is expected to take on 2,200 homes and the district council is duty-bound to consider the results of the study before publishing part two of its local plan, which will account for Oxford’s unmet housing need.

District council leader Matthew Barber said: “The 2,200 homes recommended for the Vale is an important contribution to meeting Oxford’s unmet housing need.

“No decision has been taken about the number or where this housing could be located.

“The district council remains responsible for the allocation of housing sites through the proper public consultation process as part of preparing the local plan.”