STEVEN Bennett raised the issue of social housing in Marston (ViewPoints, November 19) and suggested that the housing on the Milham Ford site was all private owned. This is not quite correct.
Although the 47 homes on the site were built by a private developer, 14 of these are affordable homes, the majority being three-bedroom family units.
On the wider point about affordable housing in Marston, I would agree with Mr Bennett that there is far too little being built.
This is largely because many of the sites that have been developed in Marston have been too small to require a percentage to be available for social rental.
However, I have made it clear on a number of occasions that I would like to see any larger sites which become available for development in Marston to be used for social housing.
In particular, I have said that the Marston Court site should be protected to provide care and housing for elderly people and that the Harcourt House site in Marston Road should be used to provide social housing.
Marston is a lovely residential area, close to open countryside and near to the city centre. While the Barton West development will provide Oxford with a large and welcome increase in social housing, it’s important that smaller developments close to the city are provided for families too.
MARY CLARKSON (Cllr)
Marston Ward
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