A landowner and property developer have joined the debate over Government proposals for a asylum seekers' centre near Bicester.

David Orchard, along with Martin Grant Homes, have started proceedings to issue a High Court writ in a bid to force the Home Office to carry out an environmental assessment of the proposed site on MoD land, between Piddington and Arncott.

Usually, before a large development goes ahead, a study to assess any impact the area's wildlife and its natural habitat is carried out.

Mr Orchard, who owns the land between Buchanan Road and Murcott Road, Arncott, is leading the court action, with Martin Grant Homes as the secondary applicant. A spokesman for Martin Grant Homes said: "We have put in an application for permission to apply for judicial review. If there are grounds for a review, we will know in about six weeks. Ideally we want to get an idea whether we can go ahead as soon as possible, as it's going to affect the public inquiry. Our view is an accommodation centre development is not sustainable in terms of the wider community."

The land has been allocated for housing and Martin Grant Homes has an option to buy it. But, as yet, a planning application has not been submitted. Mr Orchard was unavailable for comment.