YOUR January 8 headline, compounded by a letter from the same correspondent demonstrated total inconsistency.

I fail to understand how on the one hand the Lib Dems can complain that there are too many houses proposed in the Test Valley Local Plan and at the same time suggest we take in more refugees without impacting on the housing needs of our own citizens.

However, there was one point which I agree is important.

That is the affordability and availability of housing in the rural parts of Test Valley.

In my role representing the four parishes of Harewood ward, it is clear that a number of local residents want to see the development of some new housing that is more affordable.

It is also clear that these communities quite rightly want to have a bigger say in any new building in their neighbourhood.

Unfortunately it isn’t enough for an individual housing proposal to have the support of the local community.

I saw this first hand with two recent applications that were rejected for policy reasons by the planning committee.

One was for a number of live-work units on the site of some now derelict chicken sheds in Grateley; the second was for a new property that fell just outside the formal Over Wallop village settlement boundary.

Both had the strong support of their parish councils.

To overcome these problems and to give some measure of control to local residents, broader community led proposals are needed.

Right now I am encouraging the Harewood parishes to develop a Neighbourhood Plan.

If desired, this could promote development over and above that in the Local Plan.

Doing so would be a properly planned approach to development and go a long way down the community led route, thereby providing housing that is desired and does have the support of the rural communities.

TVBC Cllr David Drew, Andover.