I AM delighted that the city council is developing plans for low-cost, low-carbon energy for Oxford with the plans for an underground heat network (Oxford Mail, September 27).

I am, however, alarmed at the suggestions that the third possible proposed network would include a new power plant on ‘4.6sq km of land next to the hospital known as Warneford Meadow.

This is contradicted by the recently published masterplan for the future development of Warneford hospital which clearly states that the hospital trust aims to preserve green spaces.

After years of hard work, and a legal battle which went to the High Court as a judicial review, Warneford Meadow is now registered as a town green.

That means that no buildings can be put on it.

The city council is well aware of this fact.

I am therefore puzzled that Warneford Meadow would be included in plans for a power plant.

That is not a legally acceptable use of a town green.

I doubt the Friends of Warneford Meadow and its many users will accept a proposal when the hospitals in Oxford have a lot of land, and a large number of buildings lacking either solar PV panels or solar thermal units for hot water.

If the hospitals were able to offer surplus electricity or heat into the community in the future, then this would no doubt be a valuable contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Oxford.

But this need not happen at the expense of Warneford Meadow.

HAZEL DAWE

Bulan Road, Oxford