OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s decision not to bring forward the provision of new schools but to wait until “the earliest practicable date” for developers of around 5,000 houses planned in Wantage and Grove to decide it is suitable (for them, obviously) and that it would be talking to the principal of King Alfred’s School, about finding a temporary solution to accommodation problems exacerbated through already-built estates and others approved, makes distressing reading.

Everything arising from the planned massive housing development seems to be plagued by a ‘let us hope for the best; it’ll be alright on the night’ philosophy with little obvious regard or concern for what will happen for schools, roads, recreation and community amenities and all the infrastructure necessary for the well-being of inhabitants if the developers leave everything until it suits their budgets, instead of when the communities they are creating need them.

Older Old Alfredians may well recall a previous ‘temporary solution’ to the school’s need for more accommodation. It was provided in classrooms on the sports field across the road from the main buildings and close to the sports pavilion and the Cadet Corps’ armoury where its ‘temporary’ existence lasted for at least the better part of 50 years before permanent buildings were provided.

Developers’ professed good intentions when seeking planning permission and the local authorities’ hopes that all will be well sometime in the future seem to be very poor foundations upon which to base essential more immediate community needs, many of which are needed already.

JACK LOFTIN, Charlton Village Road, Wantage