Cherwell District Council threw its support behind a proposed eco town at Middleton Cheney this week. However, controversial proposal isn't a government initiative, instead it's the idea of teachers at Chenderit School, who were keen for their pupils to learn about town development, government decision making, planning policy and the power of persuasion.

Pupils at the school conducted a week-long project investigating every angle of eco towns. The event will be assessed as part of their GCSE coursework and count towards final exam results.

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Andrew Bowe, a Planning Expert from Cherwell District Council, met pupils on day two of their endeavours, explaining some of the pros and cons of eco towns, and outlining what the council would have to consider before a new development could go ahead. He used used examples from the proposed eco developments at Weston Otmoor and North West Bicester to illustrate his case.

Mr Bowe said: "The students were really interested in the eco-towns concept and had obviously given it some thought. Based on some of their probing questions I think it's a really good idea for schools to do this sort of thing.

"I was surprised how many in the class were aware of the eco-towns programme prior this week's event. It would be good if the interest in eco-towns could now encourage a few of them to think of planning as a career option and so I hope to have inspired a few future planners. "

The Government is expected to make its final decisions on the location of real eco towns in July 2009. Two sites in Oxfordshire are under consideration - Weston Otmoor and North West Bicester.

(CD/JM)