The announcement that Oxford City Council has signed an agreement with London and Continental Railways (owned by us the taxpayers) to transfer its land at Oxpens to Exemplar (April 1) fills me with dread. Why was there no public bidding process to chose a developer for this area of Oxford?

The city council is putting itself in a position to give itself planning consent for what may prove to be an inferior development in what could be a pivotal part of Oxford.

It is a repeat performance similar to the planning permission given for the huge new block of Westgate, which is being built regardless of the lack of adequate transport. Furthermore, it is doubtful whether Oxford really needs this quantity of new shopping facilities – which, if successful, could have a detrimental effect on the Covered Market and other established shops.

On the other hand, if people can’t get there, it might be just another commercial failure like the previous Westgate.

The city council works on a “divide and conquer” principle – nibbling off little bits for development without considering the whole picture.

However, when it comes to providing for new housing, although admitting that much of the new housing for Oxford must be built by infilling, it does little to use its own land within the city efficiently.

JULIET BLACKBURN
Bardwell Road, Oxford