Sir – Whilst the aim of commemorating war dead with the planting of trees is laudable, the destruction of wildlife habitat and damage to biodiversity of a local site is not.

Over the past two weeks, local residents have viewed with dismay work carried out by Oriel College on its land in Meadow Lane.

This land has been a sanctuary for wildlife including grass snakes, deer, badgers, foxes and many species of birds, butterflies and moths. We’ve been saddened, as powerless, we have watched bird, moth and butterfly habitat razed to the ground.

Where once blackcaps nested there is bare earth. The huge belt of blackberry, hawthorn and blackthorn all along Meadow Lane and beyond has been cleared, as has a large stretch of grass land along Boundary Brook. Over-wintering caterpillars and pupae have been destroyed with a knock on effect of food supplies for certain birds. An area of grassland dominated by small skippers is now a tyre marked patch of mud.

Four circular sites are to be planted with trees but these are nowhere near the bramble and thorn trees that have been removed. There is no public notice with an explanation or an artist’s impression of the development. There is no notice about the tree species to be planted and how these will enhance the biodiversity of the area. There is no information about the fencing planned and how this will affect mammal movements in and out of the site.

There has been a lack of consultation with local residents and the college appears to demonstrate at best an ignorance of wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Whilst many of us mourn what has been lost, we are also fearful for the future of this site and that work carried so far is but the first step to further development.

Setareh Campbell, Oxford