A DEVELOPER’S proposals for an alternative ‘garden village’ in Oxfordshire came as a shock to councillors.

Gladman Developments Ltd published a vision statement for a new development, named Barnard Gate Garden Village, of more than 2,000 homes on land off the A40 to the north of South Leigh.

The news comes shortly after the Government announced funding for Oxfordshire Cotswold Garden Village, further east along the A40 to the north of Eynsham.

Chairwoman of South Leigh Parish Council Nicky Brooks said: “This came as a huge shock. This will be more than 2,000 houses of unmet need from Oxford on our doorstep and we’re a rural village with no facilities and 350 residents.

“It will totally change the whole view of our village. It will urbanise it.

“There are some major flaws with the Gladman garden village project. For one, thousands more cars on the A40 will bring the place to a standstill.”

The parish council will discuss the proposals in a meeting at South Leigh Village Hall at 7.30pm today (Tues).

Gladman did not respond to a request for comment.