RESIDENTS living near fields outside Oxford where thousands of homes could be built have slammed council bosses for not consulting them.

They said proposals to develop land between the city and Kidlington could wreck views from Cutteslowe Park and cause traffic chaos.

It is part of changes Cherwell District Council is considering for its Local Plan, with a consultation closing on January 9.

The local authority's boundary stops short of homes in North Oxford, so it has not directly contacted people there – even though they live next to the area affected.

It is understood the district council said it had asked neighbouring Oxford City Council to contact households on its behalf, but the city council instead said it suggested Cherwell get in touch with them.

An exhibition was also held but only advertised two days beforehand.

Talbot Road resident Suzanne McIvor said: "This could have a dramatic effect on Cutteslowe Park, but it seems people who live here have fallen between the two councils.

"They haven't really taken any significant steps to engage with us, it was a complete farce really."

The accountant added: "Cutteslowe Park is a destination for lots of people and we should be protecting it, but people have not even had a chance to have a proper say on these plans."

Christopher Hardman , chairman of Wolvercote Neighbourhood Forum, said: "The whole point of consultation is to get people to respond.

"They have not made people here aware of what is being proposed even though it is important to them."

The consultation on proposed changes to Cherwell District Council's local plan started on November 14.

The local authority said it was proposing the homes to help Oxford with its chronic housing shortage.

It held a public exhibition – listed in a small advertisement in the Oxford Mail on December 8 – in Cutteslowe Park, but some residents were left confused by the address which simply said 'the pavilion'. There are two pavilions in the park.

Jean Fooks, a city councillor and county councillor for the area, added: "They really should have informed people about this.

"What has happened just helps to reinforce the perception that consultations are a farce and no one is really interested in what people have to say."

Mrs Fooks added the city council should also have notified local city councillors like herself.

A spokeswoman for Oxford City Council said: "Cherwell has since started consultation on possible sites and Oxford City Council has offered assistance and advice."

This included giving officials information about venues for exhibitions and suggested contacts, as well as 'suggesting they engage directly with local councillors', the city council said.

It said it had also displayed consultation materials at its buildings in the city centre and suggested consultations at Summertown Library and Old Marston Library.

The spokeswoman added: "We would urge residents to submit their comments before it closes."

Cherwell District Council did not respond to requests for comment.