IT SEEMS surprising that city councillor Linda Smith should claim that one-bedroom 'smart' homes suggested for Oxford could become the slums of the future.

With the average one-bedroom flat in Oxford selling for about £224,000 many young people are finding it hard to get a foot on the property ladder.

That includes key workers including teachers and emergency staff, who would undoubtedly appreciate the opportunity to buy a one-bedroom home of their own for about £160,000.

The new smart homes – neatly designed one-bedroom flats – have worked in other parts of the country so they should be given a chance in Oxford too, where there is a dire shortage of low-cost housing.

At the moment it seems as if the smart homes proposal is a non-starter because of city council planning rules.

Linda Smith’s concerns are understandable because she wants to ensure that all residents in the city have high-quality living standards.

But small could be beautiful for young people who are desperate to invest in bricks and mortar, instead of handing over large sums in rent to landlords month after month.

The council should start talking to the people keen to bring smart homes here.