Sir – It was a relief to learn from Keith Beckingham’s letter (last week's Gazette) that the development of 700 new houses east of Carterton is not a done deal.

We now await the outcome of the new Strategic Housing Market Assessment for Oxfordshire.

One critical component in the assessment criteria is sustainability, which should include evidence for employment.

Where is there employment in Carterton to warrant all the proposed extra homes at the Carterton East site, or elsewhere in Carterton for that matter?

Will the assessment face up to this question, and that of road infrastructure and transport?

Surely it would be better to build houses closer to the places where there is employment and facilities, motorways and rail links!

Phil Holmes (Dr), Carterton Road, Brize Norton