Farmland could be back on the agenda to take about 1,200 new homes for Bicester after district councillors changed their minds again.

After switching the preferred location for the homes to the airfield at RAF Bicester, councillors this week voted for the original site on farmland between Bicester and Chesterton, known as the south-west option.

But the councillors still propose that about 300 homes should be built in the northern corner of the airfield, near the junction of the Bicester-Buckingham road and the first turning to Stratton Audley.

The 1,500 homes are planned at Bicester between now and 2011 under the county council's policy of spreading development among county towns.

John Harper, chairman of Cherwell's environmental select committee, said: "We have gone back to the south-west because it is the option our officers originally recommended. "We believe it is the best option for Bicester.

"It will also mean there will be developer funding available to complete the western sector of the town's ring road."

Mr Harper added that they were aware of concerns in Chesterton and Wendlebury if the housing went to the south-west. He said: "I believe that with proper landscaping and protection, Chesterton has nothing to fear."