THE FINE details of the biggest housing project in Oxford since the Greater Leys estate was built have been released.

Now it is time for residents to have their say after Oxford City Council released the first batch of information on how the Barton West development could look.

It is the largest undeveloped site for residential use within the city and is seen as the key to helping solve the city’s housing shortage.

Preferred plans for the site, of up to 1,200 homes, include building homes facing on to the ring road and Barton Village R oad, which would have reduced speed limits, and a new park alongside Bayswater Brook.

Plans for a new primary school, community and recreation facilities and shops were also outlined.

Homes would be a mix of types with an ‘emphasis on family homes’ and the allotments would be kept.

From May, residents will also be able to pick their own favourite from a list of options, including a supermarket, and keeping or relocating the recreation ground.

Sue Holden, secretary of the Barton Community Association, said residents had been initially impressed with the plans.

She said: “One of the things we are really supporting is the supermarket. I think that would really make a difference to the traffic on the Green Road roundabout and also on the ring road.

“It will mean that people don’t have to go off the estate to do their shopping.”

But she added: “One thing we’re very concerned about is that the developers don’t prioritise profit over facilities.

“We don’t want them seeing a green space and thinking ‘we could squeeze an extra six houses on there’.

“We don’t want a concrete jungle. We want a community.”

In February the Oxford Mail revealed the council had to reduce the amount of social housing from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

Green city councillor Elise Benjamin said they fought long and hard for the exceptional amount of social housing, and were concerned reducing it would ‘set a dangerous precedent’ to other developers.

She added: “I would also like reassurance that the housing will be mixed in. We don’t want to see ghettos created.

“A new primary school is desperately needed in Oxford and youth facilities are welcomed, but the question is, in the current economic climate of public sector cuts, who is going to fund these facilities long-term?”

A consultation document on the proposal will be discussed by the council’s executive board next week.

A spokesman said: “The council hopes that everyone with an interest in the future of the area – residents, community groups, local organisations, businesses, employers and providers of infrastructure and services – will take the opportunity to contribute their views.”