Villagers have warned that they will fight moves to build thousands of homes between Garsington and Oxford.

More than 150 people attended a public meeting in Garsington Village Hall, called to assess local views about developing green land near the village.

And two Oxford colleges were told they would face opposition if they sought to build on the Green Belt which separates the village from Cowley.

The meeting was organised by Garsington Parish Council, as the inquiry into the South East Plan has examined the idea of using Green Belt land to meet the housing needs of the region.

The Garsington meeting heard that nearby green land was especially vulnerable, with both Magdalen and Brasenose colleges hoping to use their land for development. As major local landowners, the two university colleges would stand to make millions from any major redrawing of the Green Belt.

Ann Tomline, South Oxfordshire district councillor for Garsington, said: "Villagers do not want to see Garsington become part of the city of Oxford.

"Traffic is already horrendous going into Oxford. The meeting was one of the first opportunities local people have had to have their say.

"And people made clear that they want to protect the village.

"We all know that we need some new housing, but it would be better to have some small development within the village, which could help sustain it, rather than mass housing on such a scale with 8,000 new homes."

In the run-up to the public inquiry, the issue of extending Oxford has focused on moves to build 3,500 homes on land owned by Magdalen College and Thames Water off Grenoble Road, with the development stretching from Sandford to Garsington Road.

Oxford City Council is ready to release a 250-acre site it owns to create a settlement that would be as large as Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys combined.

Land off Oxford Road, Garsington, owned by Brasenose College, has also been offered for development.

Elizabeth Gillespie, of Baldons Parish Council, said: "It was apparent that Garsington people had been unaware of the threat facing their village. I think they believed there was going to be a little extension to the science park.

"But now they are determined to stave off the pending danger. They are worried and angry."

In a joint statement submitted to the South East Plan inspectors, Magdalen College and Thames Water urged a review of the Green Belt.

It says: "In view of the development pressures, we envisage that the overall growth required in the Green Belt could be substantial.

"Oxford City Council indicates that there is a major imbalance in the availability of workers and jobs in the city - and that there is therefore a need to develop outside the city."