OXFORD is a beautiful city surrounded by Green Belt countryside enjoyed by city and county alike.

Sadly, it won’t be in the future if the draft plans of Cherwell District Council go ahead. The plans earmark most of the Green Belt between North Oxford and Woodstock for development to provide housing for Oxford city.

These plans are based on the ill-founded premise that 14,850 houses are needed for an everexpanding Oxford and that Cherwell should provide 4,400 of these, while Oxford will contribute only a measly 550.

As reported (Oxford Mail, January 7), the packed meetings in Begbroke and Kidlington last week show the high degree of the justified public anger at these proposals.

The proposal (cherwell.gov.uk/ index.cfm?articleid=9367) lists vast intrusions into the Oxford Green Belt, completely contrary to the principle that the Green Belt is there to provide cities with accessible countryside, and to prevent the Oxford area becoming a continuous urban sprawl.

Cherwell District Council is on record as being committed to defend the Oxford Green Belt. The proposal appears to show that this commitment is hollow.

The Oxford Green Belt is enjoyed by local walkers and by residents of Oxford City who come out to benefit from the open, beautiful countryside. The Green Belt must not be destroyed.

Protest to PlanningPolicyConsultation@ cherwell-dc.gov.uk by January 13.

MARTIN OLDFIELD, SUSAN GANTER, KAZIA KANTOR, NIKKI LEWIS, SUE OLDFIELD, STEPHEN SKINNER

Begbroke and Yarnton