COMMUNITY facilities are needed now for residents living on the Great Western Park estate in Didcot, according to a town councillor who lives there.

John Ord, who represents the town council’s All Saints ward and has lived in Dunnock End since 2011, spoke after the latest plans for 453 homes on the estate were submitted.

So far about 700 homes have been built on the estate where 3,300 houses are planned, but enough facilities such as shops, community centres and schools have not been provided, said Mr Ord.

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A new primary school was due to open in 2015 but that has been delayed by a year. Mr Ord said: “A shop, schools, leisure facilities and other amenities have been promised by developers but so far nothing has happened. I really hope to see some progress in 2015.”

Town councillor Margaret Davies added: “It’s very difficult for people living on the estate who desperately need community facilties.”

Developers Taylor Wimpey, David Wilson Homes and Persimmon have said the northern part of the site will have a neighbourhood centre, cycleways and footpaths.

They have promised a primary school, a secondary school and a retail centre.

A spokesman for the GWP Consortium said: “A new community centre in the park’s northern district will be completed by the end of December and will be available for GWP residents and the wider community to use. Work is also due to start in the new year on a sports pavilion, which will open in spring/summer 2016, along with a series of sports pitches.”

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