PLANS to build houses and shops on one of Bicester's oldest sports grounds have been opposed by county councillors as they vow to protect green space in the town.

Michael Waine, Lawrie Stratford, Les Sibley and Dan Sames have said they are committed to preserving the Oxford Road Sports Ground, as well as nearby Pingle Field, for future generations.

It comes after more than 2,000 people signed a petition against the proposal to create a new development called 'St Edburg's Walk' in the place of the sports ground.

Landlord, Bicester Sports Association, announced last year the scheme would see shops and housing built on the land and the current facilities would move to the Chesterton site – which it proposes to expand to six times the size of the Oxford Road ground.

Developers U+I and Adalta Real revealed they hoped the scheme will help link shoppers through to the town centre.

But Mr Sibley thinks the land is too important in its current incarnation, saying: "It is vital we maintain Pingle Field and that whole area near to the hospital as a green space for social interaction and sports.

"It has been used for hundreds of years and I can't think of another green space in Bicester that has been used for such a long time.

"It would be wrong for the green to be replaced by grey concrete.

"Once it is gone, it is lost for good.

"With thousands of new houses already planned over the next 15 years we need to make sure we maintain the things that make the community a place people want to live.

"I would welcome investment in the sports ground if it was directed in the right way to improve the facilities already there but this is not the kind of development we need."

But Bicester Sports Association has said it can not afford to maintain both the Oxford Road site and its sports ground in Chesterton.

Spokesman, Paul Vicary, previously commented: "The Bicester Sports Association and U+I [developers of the new housing and retail plans] are fully committed to the joint proposals for the delivery of both more high quality sports provision at the Bicester Sports Association's long established Chesterton grounds, and an exciting vision for new high street shops at St Edburg’s Walk.

"One cannot happen without the other.

"The Bicester Sports Association does not have the funds to upgrade or maintain two separate sites (Chesterton and Oxford Road).

"A new sports hub at Chesterton is therefore crucial to securing the long-term future of the Bicester Sports Association and maintain its commitment to supporting subsidised, grassroots sport in the Bicester area."

A public consultation is expected in the coming months. No formal plans have yet been submitted to planning authority Cherwell District Council.