I WRITE further to your article (Oxford Mail, June 10) that Thames Valley Police did not make clear that the old Block B was primarily used for storage and not essentially office use.

The proposed new block will house up to 180 staff, who will want to park at the headquarters.

The current level of staff at HQ is around 550. The additional staff will increase this to 730. It does seem a very strange decision to propose a new accommodation block when, only a few years ago, the force transferred approximately 250 staff to Langford Lane, Kidlington, to relieve the blight, danger and obstruction caused by staff and visitors using the surrounding roads as a long term car park.

The Chief Constable has never been a good neighbour and appears to consider local residents immaterial and their environment fair game.

For the force to say it wants to be good neighbours is crass, and is said purely to make it look caring.

In truth, the Chief Constable currently cannot contain the staff and visitors on site, and local roads are regularly used for HQ overspill car parking. So how can she hope to accommodate another 150-plus vehicles?

Also, she promised, about two-and-a-half years ago, to bring in a parking strategy for the site. As yet there is no sign of such a policy.

If an organisation takes more than two-and-a-half years to cogitate over a fairly simple policy, then HQ management can only be seen as unfit for purpose.

The force also promised, more than two years ago, to involve local residents in the environmental impact assessment of the new block.

To date, I am not aware of any local residents who have been approached, so once again the Chief Constable cannot be considered a good neighbour.

The article does not indicate that the cost of the block will be £3m, and is also likely to be the first phase of a major site development, possibly involving some £20m over the next 10-15 years.

The buildings now on site A and C blocks, and the old garages, are at the end of their useful lives and expenditure will be needed.

Why invest in a very constrained site, surrounded by housing and schools?

It would be far better to invest such sums in a site which has more potential.

The planning application should be opposed, unless residents’ rights are upheld and parking controls are put in place.

The Chief Constable has a duty of care and should also recognise residents’ right to a decent environment not soiled by bad management decisions or a failure to be a good neighbour.

M Makepeace, Oxford Road, Kidlington