THE controversial 15,000-home Weston Otmoor eco-town appeared dead in the water last night — but another ‘Green’ development emerged as a potential replacement, less than five miles away.

The Weston project, which has been opposed by residents of nearby Weston-on-the-Green, was given the lowest possible rating in a Government assessment of the 12 eco-towns proposed nationwide.

The location — between the A34 and M40 — was the only one in the country to be given a Grade C for its likely impact on the local community, economy and environment.

Developer Parkridge Holdings was told the Weston eco-town would only come to fruition with “substantial and exceptional innovation”. In effect, Weston Otmoor is at the bottom of the league.

The company said in a statement last night: “The Sustainability Appraisal published yesterday is only a draft and is one of the assessments taking place to judge the suitability of all eco-town proposals. It says Weston Otmoor can be suitable for an eco-town if it has substantial and exceptional innovation.

“Our investment in public transport infrastructure is exactly that and sets us apart from many other bids. We continue to work with the government on the other areas of assessment so the proposals can be judged on their overall merits.

“We are confident that our current proposals fulfil all the criteria for an eco-town”

However, housing minister Margaret Beckett said yesterday that a scheme for 5,000 homes at North West Bicester had been added to a list of locations.

It was given a Grade B ranking, the same as nine other conceptual eco-towns, meaning the scheme was considered to have potential, “subject to meeting specific planning and design objectives”.

The land — Howes Lane and Lords Lane — is effectively two sites, but Cherwell District Council said they could be developed together. The council, which does not own the sites, admitted it made the bid to kick the Weston Otmoor plan into touch Cherwell District Council leader Barry Wood, said: “This concept received a higher sustainability rating than the Weston Otmoor site, which is a good start, but it is at an extremely early stage.”

Bicester town and district councillor Les Sibley said: “I welcome this alternative proposal and am pleased the district council has taken on board the opportunities that Bicester can offer.

“If the eco-town plans at Weston-on-the-Green are not given the go-ahead for whatever reason, I suggest Bicester is given the chance.”

If the North West Bicester scheme is approved, it would effectively become an extension of the town, which already has a population of 31,000 and is one of the country’s fastest-growing urban areas.

Bob Langton, chairman of Bicester Vision Partnership, said: "We totally support the joint stance of the town, district and county councils that an eco-town on the proposed site of Weston Otmoor would be a disaster for Bicester.”

Matt Jackson of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “The Government should have had the courage to remove Weston Otmoor from the list entirely, instead of pretending it is still viable.”

Tony Henman, father of former tennis player Tim and a leading figure in the fight against Weston Otmoor, said: “We are delighted to see it has been awarded grade C.”

The Government has pledged to create up to 10 eco-towns for three million homes in England by 2020