Villagers have described as "frightening" plans that could double the size of their community.

Developers Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management have announced plans to build 420 homes on land off Benson Lane, in Crowmarsh Gifford.

The village is home to about 1,000 people.

But the 420 new homes - to be built on land to the right of the road as drivers approach the Crowmarsh roundabout from the direction of Oxford - would increase the population to 2,000.

And residents say the village would not be able to cope.

Dr Nick Robins, of Benson Lane, said: "The prospect of well over 1,000 new residents vying for the sparse facilities of Crowmarsh Gifford and the nearby town of Wallingford is daunting.

"An additional 800 cars per day up and down Benson Lane and The Street is nothing short of frightening.

"The field cited for development is grade two agricultural land adjacent to an area of outstanding natural beauty.

"It is a triangular site that will rudely intrude into the countryside.

"There are far more suitable sites in south Oxfordshire than this one."

Nigel Hannigan, chairman of the parish council's planning committee, said: "The infrastructure of the village wouldn't be able to support a major development.

"We are losing our post office and the school is running at capacity."

The area's Conservative MP, Dr John Howell, echoed the fears.

He said: "In my view this scale of development is not appropriate for a village. It will put serious pressure on local services and infrastructure and the locals are quite right to be concerned and upset by it."

The developer has promised to build new playing fields and make transport improvements.

Bloor spokesman Paul Doyle insisted the scheme offered "opportunities for the area" and would help provide "much-needed" affordable homes.

The developers - who are considering a smaller 200-home estate as an alternative for the site - refused to confirm when any planning application would be submitted, but district council spokesman Victoria Bucket-Hipgrave said that an application was expected next month.