Sir – While discussing the proposed Blavatnik building in Walton Street with a prominent city councillor and the incongruity of its design on a site surrounded by historic structures the view of this councillor (also on the planning committee) was that ‘historic buildings do not fit in’.

This was a new take to me on the city’s architectural legacy and reminiscent of the approach of Stalinist planning in Eastern Europe. Thinking further, I wondered how widely this view was shared by other councillors and officials.

It would certainly explain the approach adopted to major developments in the city, such as the Science Oxford building in New Road, where the handsome old register office is to be swept away for the Foster Bunker, or the University proposal to demolish the magnificent Victorian mansions in Keble Road and South Parks Road. One wonders if there exists enough understanding of the environment amongst councillors, in particular in relation to schemes by the university.

The last time I checked the figures, a third of members had a direct or indirect connection with the university which should exclude them from sitting on the committees dealing with university applications.

One cannot rely either on the officers’ advice as they appear to operate a dated Modernist approach to the built environment. Surely a case exists for the establishment of an independent committee composed of reputable organisations (such as English Heritage, the Oxford Preservation Trust, Civic Society, etc) which, supported by independent staff, could exercise in an advisory role to the planning committees.

A united voice is more influential that individual comments. Such a body could have, perhaps, avoided the Port Meadow flats fiasco.

Paul Hornby, Jericho Watch, Oxford