OXFORD City Council seem to operate with a very strange system of logic.

They object to students occupying privately rented property and complain that the colleges should do more to house their own students and then object to the appearance of the buildings which the University of Oxford attempt to provide.

Planning permission was given for the building of flats adjacent to Port Meadow and now because a minority of people object to it on aesthetic grounds, the council expects the university to reduce the height of the buildings, even suggesting the council might offer compensation for the inconvenience and financial loss.

Where would the money come from? Presumably from raising council tax and cutting services.

The university estate should stand firm on this matter and not give in to pressure from the city council.

At least the university is taking its responsibilities to house the student body seriously, which is more than can be said for the local authority and the general populace.

JOHN BROOKES Shelley Road Oxford