To some, it's a way of cutting down commutes and improving quality of life. To others, it's a sinister conspiracy designed to lock people in their neighbourhoods.

The concept of "15-minute cities", an urban planning scheme aimed at encouraging walking and cycling, has been dismissed recently as an “international socialist concept“ by Conservative MP Nick Fletcher.

Speaking in the Commons last week, the first Tory MP to represent Don Valley in Doncaster, said the scheme being planned in Oxford, could “take away our personal freedom”.

It has become a new source of conspiracy theories, which Fletcher appeared to give weight to when he tweeted: "Destroying our towns and cities and keeping us prisoners in our communities is not the way".

What is a 15-minute city?

The 15-minute city idea was developed and popularised by French-Colombian professor Carlos Moreno, who envisioned a future where city dwellers could have access to everything they need within walking distance.

Shops, schools, workplaces, doctors, parks, libraries, and restaurants are all placed within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home under the scheme.

Read more: Nicola Bulley: What is a high-risk missing person?

Now, the concept is being integrated in parts of Paris under mayor Anne Hidalgo's plans to create more self-sufficient communities with more diverse economies, while also cutting pollution and stress.

The notion really gained ground during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw people spending more time in their local neighbourhood than ever before.

Will there be 15-minute cities in the UK?

Oxford has set out to become a 15-minute city by the next decade under the 2040 local plan set out by its city council.

The local authority says this is to create a walkable city where people have everything they need a short distance away.

But the plan has sparked protests among people who have conflated it with Oxfordshire County Council's Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme, which has seen bollards erected on some roads to discourage driving.

Traffic filters are set to be installed on six roads in early 2024, which has fuelled conspiracy theories that this would result in people being "confined" to their areas.

Read more: Shocking pictures show 18 dogs kept in atrocious conditions by banned owner

The county and city councils said in a joint statement that "misinformation online" has linked the two schemes to each other, adding that the 15-minute neighbourhood idea aims to "support and add services, not restrict them".

A city council spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News UK that the two schemes are separate, although they will of course both affect the same city.

However, Southend Council appears to have conflated the 15-minute city concept with restricting people's movement and traffic fines, and has completely ruled it out.

Its councillor for the environment, Carole Mulroney, said: "This inter-zonal travel charging, I’m totally against. I’m totally against charging zones and restrictions on movements."

Read more: Conspiracy theories on '15-minute cities' flourish

In 2021, Ipswich announced its goal to become the UK's first 15-minute town in a "post COVID world", in a bid to improve connectivity and help businesses bounce back after the pandemic.

Birmingham also plans to become a 15-minute city, while Colchester has said the idea "should not be off the table".

Other cities and towns in the UK considering implementing 15-minute city schemes include Bristol, Sheffield and Canterbury.