THE BATTLE over whether an eco-town should be built in Oxfordshire is set to continue into the spring.

There are two separate proposals to build eco-settlements near Bicester. But with the consultation period due to end on March 6, The Oxford Times is offering readers the chance to put their questions directly to the Government minister involved.

Readers are being invited to send in questions about eco-towns to us, and we will then forward a selection of them to Iain Wright, the Housing Minister.

The Government is now expected to produce its final eco-town shortlist in the late spring.

Oxfordshire finds itself at the centre of the eco-town issue, with two local proposals on the Government shortlist.

The developer Parkridge is proposing to build a 15,000-home settlement near Weston-on-the-Green, while Cherwell District Council has come up with an alternative proposal to create up to 5,000 green homes on the north western edge of Bicester.

Derek Holmes, the editor of The Oxford Times, said: “Readers are invited to submit as many questions as they like. We will then send on what we judge to be the best questions to the minister and will publish his answers.”

Readers should send the questions they want put to the Housing Minister to rlittle@oxfordtimes.co.uk or write to Reg Little, The Oxford Times, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ. Closing date February 20.