A FREE car with every home is one of the options being considered by developers behind the 6,000-home eco-town plan for Long Marston.

An electric or hybrid car, such as a Toyota Prius, and a bicycle with the sale of every home is the latest deal developers St Modwen and the Bird Group have designed to lure buyers.

Antony Calvert, a spokesman for the developers, said: “We are interested in trying to convert local car use from conventional vehicles, which rely on petrol and diesel, to duel use hybrid vehicles and electric cars.

“Our intention is to recognise the reality of car use but reduce the number of vehicles in Middle Quinton and encourage these vehicles to be environmentally friendly.

“Our commitment to reinstating a rail link, as well as all the other aspects of promoting public and sustainable transport, remain key goals for the development of this eco-town.”

However, campaigners against the plans have slammed the idea saying it completely undermines the developers’ attempts to construct sustainable transport networks.

David Bliss, chairman of the Better Accessible Responsible Development (BARD) campaign, said: “Cars, electric or hybrid, still cause congestion on country roads and in the surrounding villages, and discourage reliance on public transport.

“It is hard to believe that the developers will fund the massive up-front costs associated with upgrading rail routes both east and south from the site if they are promoting car use in any form. It is just a desperate PR ploy designed to make the new town more palatable.

“If St Modwen would only look to invest in the creation of eco-quarters, attached to major towns and cities by good public transport and existing infrastructure, where jobs are located and affordable housing is desperately needed, they would attract compliments not contempt.”