The day after South Oxfordshire District Council published its Local Plan Second Preferred Options, we have a paen of praise from Hannah Somerville(‘IT’S THE JR SOLUTION’ : March 30) to the Aubrey-Fletcher family’s apparent philanthropy in their plans for 280 acres of Green Belt off Bayswater Road and around Barton, with Christ Church standing nearby as a silent witness.

Ms Somerville raises not a single concern about the potentially negative effects of the Aubrey-Fletcher’s proposed 1,850 homes, or for an equal, or greater, number in Christ Church’s Lower Elsfield proposals. It all sounds so good : essential housing for hospital/research staff, a convalescence home, a 250-bedroom accommodation block for new students at the Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, a park, a shuttle bus service/park-and-ride to the Headington hospitals, and a cemetery. 

Ms Somerville describes the land in question as “empty fields”. What on earth does this mean? As such, are these fields of no value to Bartonians or to their Green Belt neighbours? As for traffic, Headington and Marston are already under traffic siege daily, soon to be made worse by the construction of the Swan Free School in Old Marston, how will this work? 

Oxford City Council planning chief Alex Hollingsworth is quoted as saying the city council would “support the principle that developments close to Oxford are best for meeting Oxford’s housing need”, all of a piece with his support for the Kidlington Gap (Northern Gateway) plans down the other end of Oxford’s northern bypass. 

Powerful groups are in the game here, but the prime motive for the Aubrey-Fletchers and for Christ Church comes down to pounds, shillings,and pence, with any philanthropic urges chucked in as window-dressing. Beware of landowners and developers bearing gifts!

Sincerely, 

Bruce Ross-Smith 
6 Bowness Avenue, 
Headington