It never surprises me when letters (Derek Benfield, March 5) appear which twist perfectly sensible quotes. Former Labour councillor Derek Benfield, who I replaced in 2004, has implied I think it is too early to consider infrastructure for developments occuring to the East of the A419. Absolutely wrong. Likewise 3,000 houses at Lotmead with all traffic going through Covingham and Wanborough is a fantasy.

Infrastructure is at the centre of the council's plans for growth in the town over the next 15 years. We must get this right and all councillors, parishes and community groups are saying the same thing. There is also cross political party support for the council’s approach in the Local Plan. The importance of the topic is one reason why the Conservatives created a new multi-millon pound Infrastructure Fund in this year’s council tax budget.

But, and this is the important point, until a planning application has been submitted then any comments are pure speculation and guess work. I hope developers accept what is asked of them, and so far they are playing ball. If they don't provide the necessary infrastructure then I trust the cross party planning committee will do the right thing and refuse the applications.

Dale Heenan, Councillor for Lower Coleview, Covingham, Liden and Nythe Conservative Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning & Sustainability