Cherwell District Council suggested the Government consider a possible eco development here as an alternative to the eco town proposed at Weston Otmoor, to which both Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council remain opposed.

Halcrow, an independent consultancy firm, has undertaken work to understand the viability of the north west Bicester site and concludes it offers "an exciting opportunity to build a new form of sustainable community in Cherwell district, and to extend the benefits of this community to the existing town of Bicester."

The concept report also concludes that north west Bicester is a logical site for such a development, consistent with wider planning policy aims. Halcrow believes the north west Bicester location is "at least as good as many of the other proposed eco town locations and better than many, e.g. Weston Otmoor."

But there are also notes of caution in the report. Halcrow believes the development is currently a marginal proposition financially although careful consideration of how the Government's eco town standards could be met, combined with the availability of public sector support, would make a big difference to viability.

Councillor Barry Wood, leader of the council, has welcomed the report.
"The study reinforces our initial suggestion that any new development should bring benefits to the existing town of Bicester, rather than draw investment away from it – a major risk posed by Weston Otmoor. It has always been essential from the council's point of view that any development would benefit Bicester and Halcrow's report indicates development at north west Bicester could achieve this.

"We now have to consider the conclusions in depth, particularly the issues of viability and deliverability. Bicester deserves the best and we will only pursue this option if we're absolutely confident it achieves that aim. We also need to know that the policy and financial support required is available from national government and other sources."

Councillors will form a view on the findings of the concept study a special meeting of the council's executive committee on Monday 30 March. One of the decisions they need to take is whether the merits of the north west Bicester location are convincing enough for the council to promote it formally to Government as an eco town location. This would mean the north west Bicester concept forming part of the council's future strategy for accommodating housing growth (the Local Development Framework).

Halcrow's findings will now be included in the Government's current eco town consultation, the 'Phase II consultation', which gives individuals, groups and organisations the opportunity to respond to this national Government initiative. Government's process and timetable for consultation on the eco towns programme is detailed on the Communities and Local Government website at www.direct.gov.uk/ecotowns. This consultation has been extended from original end date of 6 March to 30 April 2009.

Councillor Michael Gibbard, portfolio holder for planning and housing, is keen to hear the views of local people before the executive committee meets on 30 March.

"Cherwell District Council will not hold its own formal consultation on the findings of the Halcrow study at this stage. Our time for consultation on further developments to the scheme will come if councillors decide to pursue the proposal further, and if Government includes it in the Planning Policy Statement. However, that does not mean that we are not interested in hearing people's views before the meeting on 30 March. We're in the process of arranging a number of invitation-only briefing sessions in Bicester and the surrounding areas for specific groups of interested people. Representatives of Communities and Local Government will hold their own stakeholder briefing event, when Halcrow will also present their report. "

These meetings are not open to the public but anyone who would like to be invited should contact Charlotte Morbey on 01295 227 970 or charlotte.morbey@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.

Housing minister Margaret Beckett is expected to make final decisions on the location of eco towns at the end of June.