THE chosen name for a 2,200-home garden village has drawn a scathing reaction from residents.

The development, which will be built north of the A40 near Eynsham, is set to be called Salt Cross following a competition that generated 115 entries.

It was chosen because of its ‘unique’ link to the location, as historic routes Salt Way and Saxon Way cross over on the site.

West Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet approved the name change on Wednesday, but the reaction on social media was less supportive.

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A post on the Spotted Witney Official Facebook page attracted dozens of negative replies, with many referencing the garden village’s unpopularity in Eynsham.

Sue Malin wrote: “Salty and cross would be more apt, as that’s how people are feeling about the additional A40 traffic it's going to cause.”

Rich Wickson joked: “Let’s wind up the locals even more by choosing two synonyms for angry.”

The village’s impact on the A40 was another hot topic, with some suggesting alternatives.

David Burkey said: “I would suggest it be named ‘grid lock’, because that is what it will result in on the A40.”

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Another user, Paul Ashby, added: “I think Con Gestion will be a more apt name.

“A ridiculous location for thousands of houses on an already congested route into Oxford.”

In addition to the new homes, Grosvenor Developments has applied to build new primary and secondary schools, sports facilities, parks and allotments.

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The competition to name the garden village closed on October 31 last year, with entries filtered according to a set of criteria.

Suggestions that did not make the cut included those that duplicated nearby locations, for example Little Eynsham, and ones that were difficult to pronounce, such as Beaulea.

Potentially obscene names were also scrapped, with just one entry – Death Row Village – falling into this category.

Titles that may be open to reinterpretation went the same way, including Isis Gate and Coxham.

Salt Cross was joined by Wintlesham, Caverswell Village and Cottesham on the final shortlist, which was sent to key stakeholders including Royal Mail, Oxfordshire County Council and Eynsham Parish Council.

Grosvenor and the parish council support the proposed name.

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Jeff Haine, the district council’s cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “Finding a name for the garden village has been a lengthy process but it was important that we get it right as the village will hopefully remain here in perpetuity.

“Salt Cross is an excellent choice because it can be so closely identified with the history of the area.

“The village is itself creating a little bit of West Oxfordshire history and the name is a nod to both the past and the future.”

The cabinet also recommended approval of the draft Garden Village Area Action Plan, so it can go forward for a six-week public consultation.

This will provide the next level of detail in the legislative framework to measure against the recently submitted outline planning application.

Both items go to full council on Wednesday for a final decision.