MANY of your readers may have received the Lib Dem election manifesto in one form or another.

Although I am not standing in the May 7 elections, I have been a district councillor for the last eight years, both as cabinet member for housing, and member of the planning committee, and so am well qualified to comment on spot the fibs (to use a polite term) in Cllr Hodgkinson’s statements.

He talks about “starting to build affordable housing for the first time in 25 years”.

Is Cllr Hodgkinson not aware that, in those 25 years, around 2,500 affordable houses have been built in the Cotswolds?

Cotswold District Council’s (CDC) policy is that up to 50 per cent affordable housing should be considered on any development over 10 houses, and, even in the last five years we have seen a large number of affordable homes built in Cirencester (Kingshill), Moreton, Fairford and Bourton-on-the Water, with more coming on stream in recent applications in Tetbury, Lechlade, Chipping Campden, Willersey and Northleach – in fact, just about everywhere in the district.

In Tetbury and Mickleton, for instance, developments totally comprised of affordable homes have been built, ring-fenced for local connections. CDC’s policy is that first preference goes to those with connections in the town and village – in other words, for local people.

A great deal of attention has been given to the amount of affordable housing being identified, their positioning and design, with the aim of further widening the scope and availability of homes to retain families in the Cotswolds, particularly the young people .

BARRY GIBBS

District councillor for Tetbury