Now that nominations have now been published for the Vale of White Horse District Council elections on 7th May I have written to every Liberal Democrat candidate for the Vale inviting them to clarify their position on the Council's Local Plan. During the election campaign they are presenting a public position of being opposed to the plan, yet at February's Council meeting it was made clear that the Liberal Democrats did not intend to withdraw the plan if successful in May's elections. In the interest of clarity and accountability I am challenging each candidate to set out their position on the Local Plan so that the public can make an informed decision at the ballot box. To date I have received no acknowledgment or reply. Read the full text of the letter below, or by clicking the image of the letter to download a PDF version... Dear [Liberal Democrat Candidate], Housing and infrastructure in the Vale of White Horse Undoubtedly the greatest single challenge facing the Vale during the campaign and for the new Council to be formed in May is the requirement to deliver significant housing growth and the required infrastructure to support it. As you will be well aware, under the Conservatives, the Vale of White Horse District Council has prepared a Local Plan, associated infrastructure plans, Design Guide and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule. All of these documents are intended to deliver new homes in the best way possible and with the roads, schools and other facilities that will be required. The Local Plan has been consistently opposed by the Liberal Democrat Group on the Council who voted against the Plan at every stage without putting forward any credible alternative proposals. As this is now likely to be a central issue of the local election campaign and in the interests of openness and accountability I am writing to ask you to confirm your position on the Vale’s Local Plan. My Conservative colleagues and I are happy to stand on our record, and whilst only too well aware of the challenges the Local Plan presents, we firmly believe it is the best way to tackle the demand for new housing and infrastructure in the Vale. Given the opposition from the Liberal Democrats, would you please confirm that you intend to withdraw the Local Plan if elected? If it is the intention of your Party to withdraw the Local Plan, what alternative do you intend to put forward? If you do not intend to withdraw the Plan will you make this clear to the electorate before the election in order to allow the public to make an informed choice on 7th May. I am sure that you will agree that on such an important matter for the future of our District the electorate deserve to have all of the facts presented to them on how each Party would deal with the incredibly important issue of housing and infrastructure. Through our Local Plan we have set out how we think we can best tackle the problem, by planning for strategic infrastructure and ensuring that developers pay more. Given the national pledge by Nick Clegg to build 300,000 every single year, I think it only fair that you set out clearly what you propose, not just what you oppose. Yours sincerely, Cllr Matthew Barber Leader of Vale of White Horse Conservatives