Evan Harris is demanding Government action to stop the threat of thousands of new homes being built in the countryside.

The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon is among a growing number of Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs in the south-east to sign a letter of protest being sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Secretary John Prescott.

A panel headed by Prof Stephen Crow concluded that the target of 670,000 new homes in the region by 2016 - already regarded by some as too ambitious - should be raised to 1.1 million. Oxfordshire's share could be 75,000, nearly double the number expected and equivalent to two new towns the size of Banbury.

The new figure has been widely condemned by councillors and conservationists who fear large tracts of rural land could disappear under concrete.

Dr Harris said: "If these plans are given the go-ahead, the south-east will witness the equivalent of 12 cities the size of Southampton being created.

"This is environmental vandalism which would make a mockery of Labour's policy to extend and protect green belt land. "We must ensure that all pressure is brought to bear on John Prescott so that the report is rejected."

Dr Harris said the UK needed policies that revitalised towns and cities and protected the countryside.

Story date: Wednesday 03 November

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