Election hopefuls debate housing in Oxford East

Housing is a key issue, according to candidates

Election candidates in Oxford East have outlined how they would plan future housing development in the area.

One concern raised was a city council plan to build a bridge across the A40, which would link 1,000 proposed homes in Barton with Northway.

Labour said full consultation was needed with residents, while the Conservatives said housing targets generally put land under threat.

The Liberal Democrats said it would review the green belt area.

'Quality of life'

The city council said people would be consulted in the summer on a plan to build 1,000 homes and the bridge concept was part of the consultation.

Speaking about the proposal, Labour's Andrew Smith said nothing had been confirmed and added the bridge may be used for buses only.

"It relates to the possible development of additional housing to the west of the present Barton area. Before any decisions are taken on this, there needs to be full consultation," he said.

Liberal Democrat Steve Goddard said: "We believe that the green belt needs to be reviewed. There is a genuine housing crisis in Oxford and the South East.

"We would like to look at whether there is a possibility of some parts of the green belt which are less environmentally sensitive, providing housing for those who desperately need it."

Massive developments

Conservative candidate Ed Argar said: "I think we all recognise that in east Oxford there is a very real need for decent family-sized affordable housing and housing that helps people get on the housing ladder.

"What isn't right is that there seems to be centrally dictated targets [for housing], and that puts at risk our green space and our green belt."

Sushila Dhall, from the Green Party, said: "We would protect the green belt and would like to see affordable homes built on brown field sites."

UK Independence Party candidate Julia Gasper said: "I think we can solve the problem of homeless people by building on brown field sites and by encouraging re-distribution of people to the north of England where there are lot of empty houses."

The candidates announced for Oxford East are: Conservative: Ed Argar; Equal Parenting Alliance: Roger Crawford; Green: Sushila Dhall; UKIP: Julia Gasper; Liberal Democrats: Steve Goddard; Socialist Equality Party: David O'Sullivan; Labour Party: Andrew Smith.