Sir – There were several very insightful letters (January 31), related to the economic growth, housing and development conundrum that faces Oxford and Oxfordshire.

The Centre for Cities report underlined the strength of our city region in economic potential and the housing and infrastructure pressures that this strength has created. The City Deal proposal that the city and county councils, the four other districts, the two universities and the Local Enterprise Partnership have recently put to Government acknowledges all these problems and proposes a balanced approach to them.

The proposal seeks to focus employment growth along the A34 ‘corridor’ from Bicester in the north, through Oxford to the Harwell/Culham complex in the south, and by improving the A40 around Witney and Carterton.

The crucial contribution of Government here will be funding to improve road and rail infrastructure, without which the county cannot hope to strengthen the economy.

Housing growth is planned around Bicester and Didcot and the city council aspires, as readers will know, to develop a significant urban extension south of Minchery Farm.

But no one would support the mass urbanisation of the county.

If the potential contribution of the county to the UK’s future prosperity is to be realised, some additional housing and employment sites will be necessary but everyone involved in the planning process accepts the importance of retaining Oxfordshire’s uniquely attractive blend of town and countryside.

This is entirely achievable, and as far as the city is concerned, our core strategy makes it clear that wider encroachment is not our policy or aspiration.

As now, a significant proportion of Oxford’s employment-related housing needs will continue to be met from other communities — hence the vital importance of good transport links.

Bob Price, Leader, Oxford City Council