Plans for up to 1,200 homes in Oxford open to public examination
Plans to build hundreds of affordable homes, a shopping centre and a primary school in Oxfordshire have been opened to an examination in public.
Plans for the development between Barton and Northway were given the go-ahead in December and will see the creation of up to 1,200 homes.
A major issue being raised is a new speed limit on the nearby A40.
The city and county councils want it reduced but Thames Valley Police believe it should stay at 70mph.
Oxford City Council wants to see a 40mph speed limit on the A40 ring-road between the new estate and the Headington roundabout.
Councillor Van Coulter said the city council aimed to link Barton to Oxford city centre.
"We are looking at improving bus services and providing better cycleways, but trying to cross a 70mph dual carriageway on a bike is just impossible," he said.
Darren Humphries, traffic management officer for Thames Valley Police, said introducing a lower speed limit was "unsuitable and unenforceable" on a dual carriageway.
He also said it was dangerous to introduce a "potential conflict" between vulnerable road users and main flow traffic.
"Crossing points should be in the form of over bridges or subways to minimise the chance of collision," he said.
Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for speed limits in the area, wants the limit on this stretch of the A40 dropped to 50mph.
Public consultation about the development, which is set to be 40% affordable housing, ends on Friday.