There have been some encouraging noises from the new coalition Government about the abolition of regionally-set housing targets, which say 40,680 homes should be built in Central Oxfordshire by 2026.

Any move to abolish targets imposed from outside and leave important decisions on housing developments to those who better understand the nuances of the local area can only be a good thing.

But there is little doubt that more housing is needed in Oxfordshire and the location of those homes will always be potentially divisive.

The regional approach to planning for future housing development had seen a number of large proposed schemes plonked around the county, seemingly with little regard to those already living there.

Whoever is left to grasp the nettle of making the decisions about how many homes are built in the county, and, crucially, where they are located, has a tough task on their hands.

But at least we elected them and they are likely to have a better grasp of what is really needed.