Sir – At last, Oxford University offers something of an apology for the failures that have resulted in the damage its flats have caused to Port Meadow, but how disappointing it comes in response to an internal challenge from disillusioned dons, rather than the concerns of the public.
The University may seek to resist reducing the height of all the blocks of flats, but it must be under no illusion that its current proposal (Option 1) is completely inadequate. A lick of paint and trees that will take 15 years to grow to just half the height of the buildings they’re supposed to be concealing, goes no way to putting this right. Even its own consultants say this will make virtually no difference.
All sides now agree that the flats are terrible and their impact must be significantly reduced. So let’s see the University bring forward some bold and creative solutions that will actually do the job. A guarded apology does not let it off the hook.
Jeremy John, Oxford
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