WE all know that housing is a premium in Oxfordshire, so any step forward in building homes is to be welcomed.

The new plans for Barton Park show that the 885-home development is closer to becoming a reality.

But any new site must take into account any knock-on effect on existing residents.

Wednesday night’s West Way decision is a potent reminder of the importance of listening to communities.

Their views must not be cast aside in the hope of a quick buck and a short-term solution to a long-term problem.

As Cllr Van Coulter points out, there are 5,000 people on the Barton estate.

With a chunk of £16.6m being allocated for a new school, roads and other services, it would be hoped that some spare cash could be found to give the rest of the neighbourhood a boost.

Oxford and the rest of the county is in dire need of housing, but we can’t create divisions by throwing cash at some and negelecting others.

Barton will welcome any cash injection to improve the local area.

It’s the people already living in Barton and Sandhills who will feel the impact of Barton Park along with their health centres and schools.

As more developments spring up in the future – as they simply must to cope with demand – house builders must ensure that those already in the city are not left behind.