AN Oxfordshire group has warned that housing plans for the county have been based on ‘fictional figures’ after population growth estimates were reduced.

The Oxfordshire Strategic Market Assessment, published four years ago, calculated the county would need 100,000 new homes by 2031.

That was based on a prediction that the county’s population would increase to 838,000 by 2031 – even though the Office for National Statistics predicted that the population would only increase to 732,000 by that year.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire said at the time it was a ‘work of fiction designed to exaggerate the housing deficit and future need’ in the county.

Now the ONS has lowered its estimate for 2031 even more to 713,000.

Oxfordshire's councils are now working to produce a Joint Statutory Spatial Plan (JSSP) to ensure their housing plans are considered together, but the CPRE has now said the entire SHMA may have to be rewritten.

A spokeswoman said: “We believe there is an important lesson for those now considering our JSSP, especially as we anticipate that an updated SHMA will be required as part of the evidence base - it will be vitally important to separate out ‘need’ from overall housing targets.

"The public should be made fully aware of, and consulted on, any additions to the housing targets to meet growth ambition.”