DIDCOT’S iconic cooling towers dominated the landscape for many years. As soon as RWE npower announced it was demolishing part of the former power station those living nearby understandably questioned what would happen to the site.

So today’s news that the initial stage of its redevelopment has started is welcomed.

Of course those in the area are somewhat concerned that there could be yet more new homes on the way for Didcot and the pressures on infrastructure and services that brings.

But we need new homes and it’s a sizeable site to accommodate many families.

It’s not yet known exactly what will be built on the 47-hectare site with the consultants just saying it will be mixed-use including employment, offices, residential and retail.

Anything that creates new jobs should be seen as a positive, particularly on this site where hundreds once worked.

It will be a long process, not least because the clean-up of the site has been extensive, and is thought to be completed next month. But all eyes will now be on the consultants, developers and council to ensure that we get the best use out of the site.

And let’s hope that the public show the same level of interest in the future of the site as they did over the demolition last month.

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