The Weston Front campaign group opposing plans to build a 15,000-home eco-town near Bicester will have their case heard at the High Court.

The group, which formed after Parkridge Holdings revealed its plans for the Weston Otmoor eco-town at Weston-on-the-Green, said it was delighted to be given the chance to put its case in the High Court.

The Weston Front, which is led by Tony Henman — the father of former British tennis star Tim – has joined forces with fellow anti eco-town protesters the Better Accessible Responsible Development campaign (Bard), who are against a similar development at Middle Quinton, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Judge Mr Justice Sullivan has given Weston Front leave to take part in the Judicial Review proceedings, brought by the Bard group, on January 22-23.

Weston Front will now join in the legal action as an "interested party" in a bid to get the Government to rethink their plans on eco-towns.

Mr Justice Sullivan said: “The issues raised are of considerable public importance and the court may well be assisted by evidence and submissions in respect of another eco-town.”

A list of 27 potential sites for eco-towns was originally released by the Government, with a shortlist of 12, including Weston Otmoor, announced in April.

Weston Front claimed the site, which includes part of the Green Belt, was inappropriate.