A NEW settlement next to Weston-on-the Green has made it on to the Government's shortlist of 15 proposed 'eco-towns'.

As many as 15,000 new eco-homes could be built on 800 acres of farmland between the village and the A34/M40 junction, creating a town bigger than Bicester.

The other eco-town bid from Oxfordshire, at Shipton Quarry, near Kidlington, has been rejected.

Now attention will focus on the 'Weston Otmoor' eco-town, where developer Parkridge Holdings wants to build on Green Belt land.

Villagers pledged to fight the proposal, with the Government set to choose ten eco-towns from 15 shortlisted sites. They have also called for local district councillor Neil Godwin "to consider his position", claiming that, as the owner of some of the land involved, there is a conflict of interest.

Tony Henman, the father of former world No 4 tennis player Tim, who helped found the Weston Front Action Group, said: "The village is united in its resolve to defeat the proposed plan."

The proposed eco-town would be built on both sides of the A34, stretching from Akeman Street in the north to the railway line in the south. It would be served by a new rail link, which would allow residents to travel to Oxford, Milton Keynes and London without relying on cars. The settlement itself would be served by a tram service.

There are also proposals for a park-and-ride scheme to transfer people into Oxford by rail.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell said: "The developers promise huge infrastructure investment. Our initial calculations lead us to believe they simply do not stack up financially."

Dr Helena Whall, campaign manager for the Oxfordshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "For eco-towns to succeed they must be well integrated into existing settlements and agreed with, not imposed on, local communities. We do not believe the proposals for Weston-on-the-Green meet these criteria."