Oxford City Council planning officers are wrong to recommend approval of the planning application to replace the Fox and Hounds pub with a new Tesco store, a handful of small flats and 16 parking spaces.

Aside from the obvious traffic problems this will cause at an already busy and often congested junction, there is growing concern about the impact on air quality in the area.

Until late last year, air pollution was monitored at this junction. Nitrogen dioxide levels were found to be in breach of both European Union and World Health Organisation safe limits but the monitoring was stopped because the pollution levels had dropped slightly in recent years.

It would be irresponsible to allow a development that will add to traffic and force pollution levels up again. I am surprised at the lack of transport assessments relating to air quality, considering the site is surrounded by housing and on a main route into Oxford.

Government data shows that air pollution contributes to over 200,000 premature deaths in the UK and the House of Commons environmental audit committee recently published a damning report highlighting the national scandal of these deaths.

This committee also warns that the UK could face EU fines for breaching air pollution limits.

Planning law already allows for air quality and its effects on health to be taken into account, yet Oxford City Council seems to have disregarded this in its assessment of this application.

If Sheffield can refuse a new supermarket on air pollution grounds and win on appeal, then why can’t Oxford?

It is time for a rethink on this growing encroachment in our communities of developments which put our health at risk.

KEITH TAYLOR, Green Party MEP for South East England