A masterplan to govern Didcot's growth over the next two decades will be created - despite the original plan being shelved earlier this month.

South Oxfordshire District Council ditched its Didcot 2030 masterplan because the number of new homes planned for the town could rise by a further 2,000, from the 3,000 already proposed.

That project had been due to produce a plan for public consultation in April this year.

But the council's Conservative cabinet member for planning, John Cotton, said the council "remained firmly committed to the delivery of a timely and far-sighted vision for Didcot".

He said news on the council's bid for Government growth point status - meaning up 2,000 more houses being built in the town in return for infrastructure funding - was expected next month.

He said the outcome of that announcement would allow the council to timetable future work on the Didcot masterplan.

Mr Cotton added: "We will make sure all the resources that are needed are available."

Meanwhile, Didcot Town Council is drafting in professional planning experts to aid its battle to halt the town's expansion.

It has agreed to spend £3,000 on consultants to boost its case at next year's South East Plan inquiry.

The council is opposed to proposals in the draft plan to build a further 3,000 homes in Didcot - over and above the developments at Great Western Park and Ladygrove East.

It wants to see new housing built within Oxford's Green Belt south of Grenoble Road.

But it faces an uphill struggle, with both the county council and the district council backing further expansion of Didcot.

Town councillors have been invited to take part in two major debates at the plan inquiry - one examining region-wide policies and the other on building within Oxford's Green Belt.

Town council leader Margaret Davies said she was encouraged by the inquiry panel's visit to proposed development sites in central Oxfordshire, including alternative sites within the Green Belt south of Oxford.

She added: "The panel chairman said she had a general concern on the range of options that have been tested."