FEWER than one of every four eligible voters in Barton and Sandhills ward bothered to go to their local polling booth for the Oxford City Council elections earlier this month.

We hope there is a greater level of interest in the planning inquiry that will be held in July into the West Barton housing scheme.

This is a massive development of about 1,000 new homes west of the suburb that will affect the fabric of that whole corner of the city.

We already know it will be controversial, with opinions ranging from those who don’t want any development at all, through those concerned about various aspects of it, to the council which wants to push it through.

Councillor Colin Cook is right in that there is only a minimal chance homes will not be built there and, to be frank, this city needs more housing.

But it would be a pity if 75 per cent of the people living in Barton and Headington showed little or no interest in having any input into the planning process.

This is their chance to help form their area long-term and they should grasp it.