Widespread housing consultation has begun in Didcot to decide where 3,000 new homes should be built.

Residents are being asked in a series of exhibitions where they think the new estates should be built.

Nine sites have been identified around the town and residents are asked to choose their preferred location for the proposed development between 2016 and 2026.

But the consultation does not include the 1,500 homes which could be built at Didcot between now and 2016 as part of the Government's growth points initiative.

The exhibitions outline issues affecting potential growth, including flood risk, accessibility, community identity and wildlife, and ask residents to select the three factors they believe are most important.

The consultation is a joint exercise between South Oxfordshire District Council, the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

By January the three authorities must declare how the 3,000 homes, included in the draft South East Plan, will be split between the Vale and South Oxfordshire District Council.

With just two of the nine sites within the Vale - one to the east of Didcot between the A4130 and A34 and one north of the Southmead industrial estate - that split will give a clear indication of where the new homes will go.

But some believe the exhibitions could divide residents who are currently united in opposition to any further growth.

Tony Hughes, of the Keep Harwell Rural campaign, said parts of the exhibition were divisive and premature.

Keep Harwell Rural is part of the Western Alliance of villages, including Harwell, West Hagbourne, East Hagbourne, Chilton and Sutton Courtenay parish councils, opposed to any further expansion.

Mr Hughes added: "People should simply say they are opposed to this future growth on the grounds of sustainability and lack of infra- structure."

He said the location of the new homes was not an issue for those opposed to the principle - and parishes should continue to present a united front.

Didcot Town Council leader Margaret Davies said the exhibition did not provide enough information for people to make informed decisions.

She added: "Joe Public cannot vote for where this is going to go because essential pieces of information are not available, such as the flood risk assessment and transport provision.

"If this is a serious consultation, I would be very concerned if heed was paid to it. If it is not serious then why go ahead with it?"

Another question posed by the consultation is that of redevelopment within Didcot itself.

Last month, SODC's cabinet member for planning, John Cotton, said town centre regeneration would happen - a move that could provide hundreds of new homes.

Mrs Davies said: "There is no information about redevelopment. It does not say 'would you like to demolish these streets and build flats'. It glosses over that."