Sir – I was very pleased to read the news about the indefinite delay to plans for the Northern Gateway business park around Wolvercote (Report, September 27).


I lead the group Engage Oxford which opposed it and so I know many thousands of others in Oxford share my feelings.We should particularly thank the Bursar and fellows of St John’s College, who are revising their plans and seeking ‘widespread local support’.


Local people have already started work on a Neighbourhood Plan to shape development in our area and St John’s can be sure of sensible and constructive discussion.


We are just as grateful to Ian Hudspeth and traffic officers of the county council who have highlighted the dreadful congestion in the area. Fixing that could cost £30m. Since the proposed development came as close as 200 yards from Port Meadow, mending the environmental and flooding impact to such a protected site will cost even more.
I disagree with your view that “The Northern Gateway site will be vital to the development of Oxford over the coming decades” (Leader, September 27).
Every business park in and around Oxford has acres of undeveloped land. The problem is not lack of supply, but lack of demand. Large ugly concrete developments are the failed solution of a past era.
Jonathan Gittos, Wolvercote