Sir - My application to have the Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes at Radley and surrounding land declared a Town or Village Green has cleared the first hurdle - the application has been accepted as duly made by Oxfordshire County Council.

Under a 1965 Act of Parliament, if land has been used by local people as of right for lawful sports and pastimes for over 20 years, it can be registered as a Town (or Village) Green. That protects it from development. This land meets the criteria because the lakes and surrounding area have been used freely by local people for walking, dog walking, swimming, boating, pond-dipping, bird-watching, photography and by artists since the 1960s. The county council has now advertised the Radley Lakes application and is seeking comments from the landowners and the general public. If a large number of comments are received, the county council is likely to hold a public inquiry in front of an independent inspector into the application. That might lead to a recommendation that the lakes be registered. Anyone wishing to write in support of the application to register the lakes as a Town or Village Green should send their letter as soon as possible to: The Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, Oxford OX1 1ND.

The county council must receive your letter by February 16, 2007. If anyone would like to know more about this, or how can they help, please contact me.

Jo Cartmell (Mrs), Abingdon