VERY rarely, in fact never, have I agreed with Councillor John Tanner. Why am I agreeing now, you may ask? He voted against the plans for the new Westgate shopping centre and its award of 23 per cent affordable homes.
Why not the 50 per cent as per the council’s policy on affordable homes in a new development? It’s similar to the new homes being built as part of the new Westgate, and they agreed not to build affordable homes because it would be out of keeping with the area. That does smack in the face of elitism.

However, the developer has contributed towards the Barton Park development. Is that extra homes to be built or was it towards the cost of the affordable homes in Barton Park? If it is the latter then that’s a disgrace and a case of the council being hypocritical against their own policy.

Then again I may be wrong and extra affordable houses are to be built as a result of funds being given by the Westgate development. But then again, it’s elitism.

BARRY GIBBS
Hanney Road, Steventon