Sir – Geoffrey Fouquet is perfectly correct in his appraisal of the proposed new Science Oxford building on New Road (Letters, July 4). It is an appalling building which will disfigure the road and as well as the loss of the magnificent Register Office.

Its design must be in question when even English Heritage (which hardly objects to any development any more) complains, along with the county council.

The design is overbearing and is typical of work by the Foster practice, although not by Foster himself (he employs several hundred architects and you have to pay extra fees for the great engineer himself). It is nothing but a bunker, completely at odds with the surrounding architecture and castle mound.

However it is unlikely that the planning officers will recommend refusal. Their dislike of traditional and vernacular architecture is well known, despite its suitability for sensitive sites, as it does not accord with the modernist view to which they subscribe.

One suspects the remark of councillor Pressel that ‘old buildings do not fit in’ is burnt into their bed headboards.

No doubt Science Oxford has the best interests of Oxford at heart and, to demonstrate this, they should withdraw the application and hand the commission to an architect who has an understanding of the urban fabric of the city.

Paul Hornby, Oxford