Cherwell district councillors want to join forces with two other councils faced with Government plans to open centres for asylum seekers.

Cherwell's executive hopes to link up with Wychavon District Council in Worcestershire, and Rushcliffe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire, to oppose the proposed centres.

Members of the executive have criticised the Government's plan to house asylum seekers in rural areas, with limited services and infrastructure, and with limited consultation.

Council leader George Reynolds said he would write to the Government stating its strong opposition to the site. Chief executive Grahame Handley plans to alert other local authorities in the south east that if the pilot scheme goes ahead, 15 to 20 other centres in rural areas are expected to follow.

The planning application is due to be considered at a south area planning meeting on Thursday, July 11.

The executive says that if the committee objects to the proposal or considers it to depart from the local plan or structure plan, it expects an independent public inquiry to be called.