IT may be controversial but the go-ahead for ‘Barton West’ has broadly got to be welcomed for the future of this city.

Ultimately housing, as councillor Colin Cook says, is desperately needed in Oxford.

Most people agree this as a obvious point but then baulk at suggestions of any form of development near them.

The housing problem in Oxford – just like everywhere else, including many parts of Oxfordshire – is not going to disappear as if by magic.

More houses need to be built and they need to be for local people and affordable. If they can’t be housed or given any incentive to work towards improving their financial lot then we just store up problems for the future.

Many of our businesses struggle for staff, it impacts on the city’s economic wellbeing and it creates more social problems.

Swindon has had at least three developments bolted on to it and it has helped it thrive.

We need to address this problem and developments like Barton West are, in reality, the only option.