Sir – I am writing regarding East Oxford area planning committee should they impose strict controls to cover Barton development’s infrastructure needs.

Councillors must refuse current planning proposals for the Barton development on September 24 when the planning committee will rule on the application.

First, the location of the site makes it a non-starter in terms of huge finances essential for responsible development.

Also the infrastructure provision that the developer Grosvenor has proposed is only sufficient for a holiday caravan park.

Grosvenor’s solution for drainage is to provide water butts for the 885 homes. Homeowners must slowly release the water when it is dry.

When pressed at the Town Hall public meeting on September 12, a Grosvenor consultant claimed rainwater harvesting was no longer used in the building trade (to help minimise flooding all new builds install underground tanks to store rainwater enabling householders to then use in their homes for toilets and washing).

Even if this statement was true, water butts, swales and ponds are not sufficient. This development requires underground drainpipes.

Thames Water’s initial suggestion providing comprehensive provision for sewage is expensive, so they have given details of a possible alternative solution — two sewage holding tanks.

A similar system is operating at Court Farm, at the foot of Northway. It is faulty and no one appears to be responsible for its maintenance.

How can permission be granted when this provision is proving to be inefficient?

Local community hub meetings which flagged up these concerns are suspended. Thames Water and the Environment Agency were not in attendance at Thursday’s meeting to answer questions. Amendments and conditions to install underground pipework must be put in place to prevent a shanty town installation.

Elaine Bennett, Oxford