Plans for a huge eco-town at Shipton Quarry is a "once in a generation" opportunity to solve Oxford's chronic housing crisis, according to a leading councillor.

Kilbride Properties, the company behind a proposal to build up to 5,000 homes on the disused former cement works north of Kidlington, will tomorrow night show city councillors detailed plans in a presentation at the Town Hall.

Shipton Quarry is one of a number of so-called eco towns - or Brown's Towns as they have been nicknamed - being considered by the Government.

The scheme includes schools, shops, sports facilities, businesses, a new railway station, a park-and-ride site, a marina and a nature reserve.

City councillor Patrick Murray, executive member for housing, said: "I'm very excited by the proposals. This could be a once-in-a-generation chance to build homes near to one of the most important cities in the south east.

"There are a lot of ifs and buts, but there would have to be very strong reasons not to consider it seriously.

"It could solve our housing crisis for a generation."

Graham Stratford, the city's community housing manager, added: "The proposal is not without its difficulties, but it is clear that the growing need for housing - and particularly affordable housing - in Oxford will not be met by in-fill developments within the city boundaries."