Sir, On Sunday, April 12, I listened to Peter Jay's speech at the new homes rally in Wantage Market Place and was impressed by his views on sustainable development in Oxfordshire, especially on the new homes aspect.

The overwhelming case he made was for the building of a new garden city to cope with all the housing the Government says we require, effectively providing all the infrastructure necessary in one comprehensive plan.

The present divisive plans for out-of-proportion developments tacked on to small villages and towns in Oxfordshire could all be catered for without destroying the present rural nature of Oxfordshire's countryside.

If the housing is so desperately required it makes sense to locate it within distance of the main centres of employment and build the infrastructure to support it at the same time.

The proposed site at Steventon is probably not the only one in the shire that could be considered, but serious consideration should be given to this solution to a problem that threatens the future of many small villages. If the powers-that-be insist that more housing be provided in this area then it would appear that the onus for providing this should be on their shoulders and help should be given to councils to build a purpose-made facility in an area suitable for such development.

We have a beautiful rural countryside and we should value this. There are too many considerations against the present plans and the cost of providing infrastructure on a piecemeal basis will be enormous; much better to have a well-planned new garden city which would attract people to come and live there rather than overcrowd the present school, doctor, dental and public service transport facilities, to say nothing of the inadequate roads which at present do NOT cope with everyday traffic.

Sally Austin
Upthorpe Drive, Wantage