Tory councillor John Flood has attempted to dispel doubts about the future of Didcot's proposed £6.5m arts centre after Conservatives swept back to power.

Despite his party's misgivings about the project -- because it is part of the planned major Orchard Centre redevelopment -- Capt Flood pledged to try to hold the Conservatives to honour the council's commitment to build the arts centre.

Capt Flood lost his seat on South Oxfordshire District Council when the Conservatives were ousted from the district council eight years ago.

But he will now take over as cabinet member for the town centre redevelopment.

There are now four Didcot Conservatives on the council, four Labour and one Independent.

Capt Flood claimed issues -- including the Tories' argument for a third secondary school at Ladygrove rather than plans to build 3,000 new homes to the west of the town -- helped their campaign.

"We also found support for our view that CCTV should be installed in Broadway and at other trouble spots," he said.

Didcot's new Independent district councillor, Sara Davidson, put the proposed development of Didcot West firmly on the political agenda.

After winning a seat at Didcot All Saints with her single-issue campaign against the expansion proposals, she said: "This is a land-grabbing proposal that wipes out footpaths and open space.

"It threatens wildlife and archaeological sites. We need more homes but this proposal benefits developers most.

"South Oxfordshire deserves better.

"I want to fight for a greener alternative and a solution not dictated by party politics."

But while her election success will please the many people and pressure groups fighting the development -- including the Campaign for Sustainable Didcot, Keep Harwell Rural and Don't Dump on Didcot -- it remains to be seen if she can influence any change in policy.

Labour have tried to put a brave face on what leader Mike McNulty conceded was a "disappointing result".

But on the 21-member Didcot Town Council, Labour retains control with 11 seats compared with the Conservatives' 10.

Mr McNulty said they would use their slim majority on the council "to fight tooth and nail for the arts centre to go ahead", along with the multiplex cinema which will cost the district council £6m.

With control of the town council, he said they would spend the time until the next elections "keeping a close watch over the growth of the town, with the town centre redevelopment and the new housing at Didcot West".