The leader of South Oxfordshire District Council has refused to agree to a shift in local authority boundaries in a bid to protect Oxford's Green Belt from housing development.
Mrs Ducker has responded to claims by Oxford City Council that the Boundary Commission wished to review the boundary to the south of Grenoble Road.
This could ultimately mean responsibility for Green Belt land in South Oxfordshire would transfer to the city, effectively making it easier to build homes there.
But today, Mrs Ducker said: "We are totally opposed to development on this Green Belt land in south Oxfordshire.
"Oxford City Council wants to expand the city into south Oxfordshire without justification.
"The city should use underdeveloped land within its own boundaries to build housing instead of trying to commandeer a large area of Green Belt that provides the unique setting for Oxford and contains some beautiful South Oxfordshire villages.
"I'm pleased to confirm the Boundary Commission has told us it isn’t looking to review this boundary — and it doesn't expect to start any reviews during 2009.
"I want to reassure our residents we are fighting this proposal for development in the Green Belt and we will keep them informed as more information becomes available."
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