Robin Storey who helped co-ordinate last Saturday's meeting said South Oxfordshire District Council's preferred option - Site D, which is located next to Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve - will have a detrimental impact on the area's wildlife.

The group believes the 850 houses will harm Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve and will cut off the Phoenix trail - a popular walking route that connects Thame town centre with the surrounding countryside.

Mr Storey said: "We are tying to get people to understand the proposal will strangle Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve putting 800 odd houses across it.

"The open countryside to the south of Thame is a major amenity and the Phoenix trail allows quick access from the town into the countryside

"The houses could be placed better, on Site F, or along the northern ring road, as is the case in Sites A and B. Site C is round the back of the industrial estate.

"We have a choice between a nature reserve and protecting the landscape, or incrementally building on existing A roads and the northern ring roads.

"I think this is an excessively large development and it will be more appropriate to spread the housing around other towns with housing in Thame in more appropriately sized amounts. I think it is quite clearly the least favoured option.

"Site D is the most environmentally sensitive option and the landscape is of the highest value compared to the other options."

The meeting was attended by John Howell MP and representatives from Thame Town Council, the Cuttlebrook volunteers and representatives from SODC.

Mike Furness, the Cuttlebrook conservation volunteer spokesman said there could be issues with the flooding in the area.

However, Angie Paterson, cabinet member for planning, insisted Site D offered potential for a sustainable extension to Thame, although choosing a site was challenging.

"The site is close to the town centre, facilities and employment areas and currently offers easy access to these as well as offering opportunities for the development of green infrastructure. Choosing a preferred site in Thame was not easy."

"The Core Strategy document is yet to be finalised,"she added.