Sir - Like many I was disappointed with the public consultation held by the developers of the Jericho Boatyard on February 23-24.

We were expecting a meal of proposals, but all that was available was a look at the proposed menu with just a few illustrations of the proposed public square. What was more interesting were the conversations with the developers, Spring, which showed how the proposals have been framed by other parties.

Lying immediately adjacent to the listed St Barnabas Church, one would have thought the most appropriate approach was to echo the glories of the church in the design of the new flats, but they were informed by city council planners that this was not acceptable with the result that the design now bears no relevance to its surroundings.

More worrying is the proposed new bridge. This will be a massive structure and will block views of both St Barnabas and the famous iron bridge over the Isis lock.

It will also involve the felling of the towpath trees.

British Waterways refuse to accept a more appropriate bridge, for example, a counter-weight or masonry arch and so the developers suggested that the existing bridge be improved to minimise the environmental damage that a new bridge would cause.

Again, they were told by planners that this was not acceptable.

What is unacceptable is that planning officers are making such executive decisions without reference to councillors or the local community.

It is the duty of the councillors to take the lead on this development and insist that all the options, not just those favoured by the planners, are open to public examination and debate before a final decision is made.

A. Watson, Oxford