A BILLION pound transformation of Didcot could include a new technology institute, railway station and leisure centre, new plans have revealed.

Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils has announced details of the draft masterplan to develop Didcot after it became a garden town in 2015.

In a bid to deliver 20,000 new jobs and 15,000 new homes over the next 20 years, the Rich's Sidings site will be transformed into a business and home hub.

In the longer term it is also hoped the train station will be relocated to the Orchard Centre, to provide more trains to Oxford and new direct services to Birmingham, Manchester and Southampton.

This is because the current station acts as a bottleneck for trains, which would be freed up by moving it and allowing more platforms to be built.

Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council Matthew Barber said: "The draft proposals give residents of Didcot and the surrounding villages a first glimpse into how great Didcot Garden Town could be.

"These plans are truly innovative, offering first class shopping experience, with more places to eat and drink, safe cycling routes, green spaces and new business opportunities."

The masterplan was drawn up after the councils were given an initial grant by the government and was influenced by the 4,000 comments made by residents during the public consultation last autumn.

Housing will be the focus for the Gateway site currently opposite the station.

It will have smaller shops, places to eat and it is expected that South Oxfordshire Housing Association and the Prince of Wales pub will be rehoused on the site.

Leader of Didcot Town Council Bill Service said he supported the 'ambitious' proposals and looked forward to residents' reactions to the plans.

Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council John Cotton said: "The Didcot community have been very enthusiastic in telling us what they want from a Garden Town.

"Their input will ensure we can deliver a truly innovative scheme that will offer the housing, jobs and the infrastructure we need to make Didcot a wonderful place to live, work and invest."

Opposite the Gateway, to the north of the railway line, the masterplan also proposes developing a world class technology institute that will include homes for people working there.

Recommendations for schools, health centres and new technology to help manage traffic flow are all included in the plans.

New cycle routes to Harwell Campus, Mowbray Fields nature reserve, allotments, Culham and a new leisure centre in the North East of the town.

These plans will be discussed at a stakeholder meeting tomorrow and will be available to the public on Monday.

The final draft will be published for public consultation in the spring of 2017, followed by a six week consultation.

For more information and to view the plans visit: didcotgardentown.co.uk