The proposed eco-town near Weston-on-the-Green would create up to 15,000 new jobs, the Government will be told.

The developer has set out how jobs will be created at the planned Weston Otmoor settlement near the A34 in its final bid presentation, published today.

But the Government will receive a different message from Oxfordshire County Council, with a new County Hall investigation condemning the scheme as "deeply flawed" and warning it should not be pursued.

With 15,000 new homes proposed, the developer has stirred new controversy by pledging that at least one job will be provided in the town for each household. The Government is being assured that there is "sufficient employment land" to give new residents the opportunity to both live and work in Weston Otmoor.

The promised jobs will include public sector workers such a nurses and teacher, with up to three secondary and eight primary schools proposed. But the bid document from Parkridge, the developer, adds: "There will be an expectation of about 12,000 jobs in 'wealth creating' employment, with a deliberate target of knowledge-based activity in line with established economic development ambitions.

"Consequently, new businesses will be encouraged to establish themselves at Weston Otmoor through a combination of easy and quick access to key locations nearby and to London; and the provision of high quality business space, whether that be 'in the home' or in grand headquarters buildings."

In response to criticism of its initial proposals for Weston Otmoor, the developer has redrawn its masterplan.

Parkridge director Roger Sporle said that it had moved the development further way from a site of special scientific interest on the edge of the scheme, and none of the proposed housing would be built on Green Belt land.

The new masterplan also reveals plans for a sports village and proposes the creation of a trust that would run public transport and manage the affordable housing.

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Keith Mitchell, said in the county council's investigation into the eco-town: "Proposals such as this would normally be rapidly dismissed as laughable. But my worry is that the Government still appears to be taking them seriously. Put simply, these plans are pie in the sky."

Concerns to be raised with the Government by the county council include:

  • Proposals to build three bridges across the A34, not one as originally thought
  • The absence of agreement with Network Rail on rail proposals
  • The likely impact a proposed railway/bus interchange near the Pear Tree park-and-ride would have on roads north of Oxford
  • The railway station and part of the high street would be built on Green Belt land
  • Reservations about bus routes proposed by the developer.

But Parkridge says council officers had not seen the detailed new document before expressing these concerns.

Mr Sporle said the new document provided details about the "eco-elements" of the scheme.

He said detailed assessments covering transport and the scheme's financial feasibility were being undertaken, which would determine which of the 15 eco-town schemes shortlisted nationally would go forward to the next stage.

The developer says it hopes the settlement can achieve "water neutrality" through water harvesting and treatment of waste water, with the majority of homes also offering solar panels. Space has also been allocated for wind turbines.

The report says only about a third of the 60,000 sq m allocated for employment development could be released before major improvements works were carried out at junction nine of the M40.

But Bob Langton, chairman of Bicester Vision, said such massive job creation would badly affect Bicester. He said: "It would take away investment opportunities in Bicester, which by and large is still a low-skill economy. There would be a huge impact."