PLANS for the first phase of Bicester’s 5,000-home eco-town will be debated by councillors again next week.

Last month, members of Cherwell District Council’s planning committee deferred a decision on whether to give planning permission, despite officers recommending approval.

Councillors were told Oxfordshire County Council strongly objected, because the developer said it could not pay £4m to fund services such as education and libraries.

A2 Dominion Group and eco-town consortium P3Eco want to build 394 homes, an energy centre, shops and offices on farmland off the B4100 near Caversfield.

A report to councillors says a £7m package of measures – or £17,700 per home – has been agreed with the developers, including provision of a site for a primary school and a contribution towards education costs, a bus link, play areas and a community hall.

The planning committee meeting is on Thursday at 2pm, at the council’s headquarters at Bodicote House, near Banbury.