TONY Baldry, MP for North Oxfordshire, recently secured a debate on planning guidance.

This is a very important issue for the people of Bicester and it should be stressed that a proposed 7,000 new houses are to be built.

Early in his speech made in the House, Sir Tony said: “We need to build more houses. At every constituency surgery I hold in Banbury or Bicester, I hear heart-rendng stories of families with real housing difficulties.”

I do not doubt Sir Tony’s words or sincerity for one moment and it’s refreshing to hear he is listening to his constituents’ concerns.

However, I would be very interested in the number of families that Mr Baldry spoke to on the subject of housing.

I would also be interested, in general terms, of the circumstances of these families. Did they have finance in position but were unable to find appropriate properties?

Or is it rather a case of people with a limited budget, who require affordable properties to be built?

I am sure there are also people who may not have finance in place and require help from local authorities to provide properties. Will these be catered for?

I hope Sir Tony would be able to give advice and guidance on the above points.

Perhaps Sir Tony could lend his weight in support and perhaps offer insurance that the new proposed Bicester sports development will be fulfilled to its full potential and benefit many of his current constituents.

It is worth pointing out that it is reported, local authorities have an estimated £10bn saved and Cherwell District Council is a public-funded organisation.

R. WISE, The Glebe, Culham