CONSERVATIVE Party grandee Sir Oliver Letwin has visited Didcot as part of an investigation into how to build houses faster.

The Dorset MP took a tour of the town's Great Western Park estate – currently under construction – in January.

Sir Oliver was appointed by Chancellor Philip Hammond in his autumn budget to chair a panel investigating a nationwide problem of delays between planning permissions and housing completions.

In Didcot he was given a tour of Great Western Park by South Oxfordshire District Council's interim head of development Gerry Brough.

Council spokesman Andy Roberts said: “We were delighted Sir Oliver took the time to come and visit Great Western Park.

"The visit was a very good opportunity for us to demonstrate the work we’re doing to deliver the houses and infrastructure needed to build and grow strong communities in South Oxfordshire.

"More importantly it gave us a chance to emphasise to the government the need for greater investment in the major infrastructure that’s needed to support those new houses."

Sir Oliver is due to make an interim report in time for the spring statement and a full report by the end of the year.