AT THE beginning of the year your Worcester News revealed how the Government wants to build 10s of thousands of new homes in Worcestershire over the next 20 years.

Today we reveal how one way of meeting that target could be the creation of an entirely new town in the county.

In January we said in this column that we would not rush to judge the proposal, nor would we fall into the alarmist trap of bemoaning the potential loss of green belt land.

We take the same stance on today's news. Would a new town be good for Worcestershire? We suspect the majority of county people would say no - but it is far too early to be making such judgements.

We do not know where such a development would be sited nor the type of homes it would accommodate.

The reality is that the need for new housing means unpalatable decisions will have to be taken.

In January we queried the level of infrastructure that would be needed to service thousands of new houses.

Perhaps a new town is the option that best guarantees such roads, schools, shops and medical facilities.

The councillors of Worcester, Malvern Hills and Wychavon have much to discuss and decide before their preferred option is submitted to the Government at the end of the year.

The talking has to continue.

But our elected representatives have a mighty responsibility on their shoulders.

Get this one wrong and we will suffer for it in generations to come.