HOUSEHOLDERS have been given a glimpse of plans for a huge housing development that will boost their town’s population by a third.

A public exhibtion showing part of Didcot’s 3,300-home Great Western Park development was held by housebuilders Taylor Wimpey.

The plans, which went on show at the Cornerstone arts centre, in Station Road, on Thursday and Friday, showed designs for the central area, which covers about a third of the development. It will include shops, sports grounds, a health centre and a community centre.

Among those viewing the plans was Peter Sanderson, 76, whose home in Brasenose Road will back on to the development.

He said: “I’ve walked these fields for 45 years so I know every blade of grass. We’ve been lucky enough for all those years to be able to look out over fields, but we can’t stop the demand for houses.”

The entire site will stretch from the A4130 north of Didcot to Wantage Road, and south to Park Road.

Retired Jenny Prior, from Glebe Road, said: “We all agree houses have to be built, we just want to know the infrastructure is going to be there to cope with it.”

Nick Hards, 60, from Abingdon Road, said the exhibition had given him more perspective on the plans.

He said: “It demonstatrates just how far away from the centre of Didcot this is. It highlights the fact that decent public transport is necessary.”

Michael Bartlett, 70, from Slade Road, was concerned necessary infrastructure would not be provided.

He said: “The glaringly obvious thing is that there is no relief road for Harwell.

“It’s just not on to build the estate without it.”

Nick Laister, from consultants RPS, said public exhibitions were important for gauging opinion.

He said: “We are inviting people to fill in questionaires. We are asking them what they like about it, what they don’t like, and if there’s anything we’ve missed.

“We want to provide something that’s supported by local people.”

Originally proposed in the late 1990s, the scheme was granted planning permission by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils in 2008.

Didcot will also see 2,030 homes built north of the town, 300 at Vauxhall Barrracks, 300 at the Orchard Centre and 640 at Ladygrove.