Villagers in Marston Vale fear plans to build 15,000-plus new homes could be a "done deal", following reports of less opposition to build a new 'eco-town' in Bedfordshire than elsewhere in the country.

A national newspaper report last weekend stated the Government has earmarked Bedfordshire as one of the three most likely sites for an eco-town.

That has been attributed to the area having "significantly less local opposition than other proposals".

Yet only two months ago dozens of protesters turned out to object when housing minister Caroline Flint visited Bedfordshire.

Bill Smullen, spokesman for Lidlington Action Group which has led opposition to the scheme, said: "We are fuming at any suggestion that there is less opposition than other proposals.

"We are a small community, but our size doesn't mean that there is any less strength of feeling. The developers have had virtually no direct communication with local residents so far.

"The local council is in a state of change and this, coupled with the lack of consultation, makes us feel that this proposal is already a done deal."

Government proposals would see 15,000-plus new homes being built on greenfield and brownfield land by 2020, at a development called Marston Vale. Previous plans to build a second new eco-town in the same area, called New Marston, have been dropped.

There are currently 13 sites shortlisted for the developments, after the Government completed the first of two rounds of consultation.

But newspaper reports claim the Government had not anticipated the level of public opposition to the scheme, with only "two or three" likely to go ahead.

Fellow residents' organisation, the Marston Moretaine Eco-Town Action Group, has also opposed the scheme.

This week a spokesman said: "These reports have reinforced our unambiguous opposition to the eco-town proposal and we will be bringing forward plans for direct action so that the strength of opposition is heard loud and clear in Whitehall.

"Public reaction to the eco-town proposal remains hostile, with residents thinking eco-towns are simply a bad idea, questioning how green their credentials will be."

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "It is premature to suggest that any one eco-town proposal will be given the go ahead. We published a shortlist of eco-town sites in April, and these continue to go through a rigorous process to ensure they meet the highest possible environmental standards.

"Marston Vale is a strong proposal but there are challenges that developers need to address, as with all locations on the shortlist.

"No decision has yet been taken on which proposed sites will become eco-towns."