Concerns over new housing being planned for the Vale were raised at a public meeting held at Wantage Civic Hall at the end of last month (Friday 20 September). Planning Minister Nick Boles and Council Leader Matthew Barber answered questions from members of the public in a lively discussion chaired by Local MP Ed Vaizey. Local community groups expressed their concerns about how the infrastructure in and around the towns and villages will be able to cope with new housing that has been allocated to the area in the draft of the Vale of White Horse District Council’s local plan. Cllr Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We understand the concerns local people. I think this meeting has helped people understand the pressures the Council is under in dealing with the Vale’s current planning problems.” Nick Boles was put under pressure on many aspects of planning policy, particularly on the insistence of a 20 per cent buffer of extra housing to be identified due to under delivery in previous years. In tackling the issue of infrastructure, Cllr Barber said: “I will not make empty promises that everyone will be satisfied by the outcome, but I can promise that the Vale will work tirelessly to ensure the best deal possible to provide the roads, schools and leisure facilities that would be needed.” Developers are expected to contribute to the required infrastructure, but it is also vitally important that these improvements are in place early. It was made clear that the Vale will consider borrowing to front-fund developments if it will help put infrastructure in place faster. Cllr Barber added: “If there are ways in which we can help get infrastructure in place we will not sit back and do nothing.”