Residents are being urged to have their say on plans to build a 15,000-home eco-town near Bicester in a consultation which starts tomorrow.

Parkridge, the developer behind the plans for Weston Otmoor, aims to explain its case for the new community to villagers living around the site.

The consultation will include visits by a community relations manager, a project website, a touring roadshow and newsletters, which will be sent to 32,000 households.

But protesters say they do not think the consultation will make any difference.

Weston-on-the-Green resident and Oxford lawyer Tony Henman, who is co-chairman of campaign group Weston Front, said he wanted to encourage as many people as possible to express their opinions.

But he added: "It's something I'm deeply suspicious of. I'm sure they have got the message already they are not wanted. I think it's a box-ticking exercise they're going through.

"Goodness knows what sort of reaction the community relations manager is going to get. I would have thought it would be a thankless task.

"It's not an eco-town - it's either a housing estate, or a new town."

Councillors have claimed Bicester would suffer - or even struggle to survive - if the eco-town was built. Opponents have also pointed out the inability of the A34 to cope with thousands of extra vehicles without any improvements.

The Conservative Party's shadow housing minister, Grant Shapps, visited the site today with local MP Tony Baldry to oppose the plan. He said: "Weston is a prime example of an eco-spin.

"Instead of working with the local people and local democracy, the Government is forcing through development where it's not suitable, in a desperate attempt to meet its arbitrary targets."

Parkridge director Roger Sporle said: "We want to develop a truly sustainable community, with outstanding transport links, which will bring benefits to the wider area.

"We will use local knowledge and experience wherever possible to make Weston Otmoor a place that everyone can be proud of - consultation with local people will play a big part in this."

Parkridge has appointed Weston-on-the-Green firm Mistral Group to manage the consultation, which overlaps with one organised by the Government, which is due to end on Monday.

Mistral director Victoria Cross said: "We're committed to ensuring that all comments, both positive and negative, are considered."

The roadshows will take place between June 29 and July 18 at the following places and times: Sunday, June 29, Weston-on-the-Green Village Hall, Mill Lane, noon to 5pm Monday, June 30, Wendlebury Village Hall, Main Street, 3pm to 8pm Tuesday, July 1, Middleton Stoney Village Hall, 3pm to 8pm Wednesday, July 2, The Blacks Head Inn, The Green, Bletchingdon, 3pm to 8pm Thursday, July 3, Kirtlington village hall, 3pm to 8pm Friday, July 4, The Crown pub, Charlton-on-Otmoor, 3pm to 8pm Sunday, July 6, Bicester Carnival, Oxford Road Sports Ground, 11am to 4pm Tuesday, July 8, Chesterton Primary School, Alchester Road, 3pm to 8pm Wednesday, July 9, Islip village hall, Kidlington Road, 3pm to 8pm Thursday, July 10, Clarendon Centre, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, 9am to 6pm Friday, July 11, Garrison Community Centre, Ploughley Road, Ambrosden, 3pm to 8pm Monday, July 14, Steeple Aston Sports and Recreation Ground, Robinson's Close, 3pm to 8pm Tuesday, July 15, Kidlington, the Red Lion, Oxford Road, 3pm to 8pm Wednesday, July 16, Marsh Gibbon village hall, Clements Lane, 3pm to 8pm Thursday, July 17, Ardley village hall, 3pm to 8pm Friday, July 18, Blackthorn village hall, Thame Road, 3pm to 8pm For more information, see westonotmoor.co.uk