PLANS to build almost 2,500 new homes in a north Oxfordshire village have caused controversy.

People in Bodicote say the houses will wreck the village’s identity.

The proposals are part of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031, which maps out the planning development strategy for 20 years.

Cherwell District Council adopted the plan at a meeting on July 20.

It sets out 1,345 homes to be built in the north-east of the village south of Salt Way, and 1,090 homes on the east side of Oxford Road.

Ron Glynn, 73, Bodicote Parish Council chairman, said: “The parish council have had absolutely no say, and the council need naming and shaming for what they have done to our village.

“I’ve been on the council for 15 years and I have never known the district council take notice of us.

“Bodicote has become the dumping ground for the large amount of housing dictated by the Government and the future for the village as a rural retreat looks bleak.”

Cherwell District Council has claimed the development will provide much needed family homes and affordable housing.

Land will also be made available to provide a new football ground for Banbury United. The news has been welcomed by the club.

The team has been offered the site by the district council as the existing ground, Spencer Stadium, is to be demolished to make way for new housing.

Nigel Porter, development director for Banbury United, said: “I have great sympathy with the residents, but also with the council because they’ve got to find land for all these homes from somewhere.”

Mr Porter said the club, taken over by supporters group Community Benefit Society in August, is willing to meet the parish council to discuss residents’ objections.

He said: “The only serious problem we can see is the extra traffic but this would only happen on a Saturday afternoon.”

Bodicote has a population of 2,500 and is a Category A village, which restricts housing to small scale developments.

But the district council says that because the land for the development is outside the village’s boundaries, the plans are OK.

Philip Cordingley, 71, a villager for 32 years, said its identity will be “swallowed up.”