County councillor Les Sibley has handed over a 700-signature petition to the chairman of Cherwell District Council.

The petition, signed by Bicester residents, was started by Mr Sibley after Thames Valley Police revealed plans to sell 50 acres of land in the town at Gowell Farm, Howes Lane.

The police authority want to sell the land for housing to help finance a project to move the police headquarters to Bicester, near its M40 patrol base and vehicle workshops.

Mr Sibley said: "I am hoping it will stop the sell-off of surplus police land. We want to send a clear message to the police authority that it is a green belt area and against the local structure plan. "It is pretty clear to the residents of Bicester this is a cheap way of securing extra money."

Mr Sibley said the police authority should sell the surplus land to the local authority to use as a recreational facility.

He added: "Most people I have spoken to have no problem with the police headquarters being built at the site, but they definitely don't want housing.

"There are already traffic issues down there."

The petition was accepted by Cllr Catherine Fulljames, chairman of the district council. She agreed to take the petition to the next full council meeting on Monday, April 22. But, as county councillor for the ward, she said she was opposed to housing plans for the site.

She said: "I represent the people of Bucknell and surrounding areas. They don't want houses on that site. Public services, like the police force, are acceptable, but not domestic dwellings.

"We should draw a line because housing will keep creeping towards the villages."

The application is due to be heard at a south area planning meeting on May 16.