Sir - Views have been expressed in your columns that the redevelopment of Bonn Square is not welcome as the environmental price to be paid is too high and will outweigh the benefits.

While it will be distressing to see the mature trees felled, especially when so many other trees in the city centre face the axe, I believe the cost will be worth it. The present topography of the square creates a 'citadel' where certain sections of society gather, but there is little penetration of the area by the general public. For a city centre location, this is not desirable.

The levelling of the site will provide an area which can be accessed by all the community, although I have serious doubts about the seating which could easily be misused. At least the new square will retain the memorial to the Oxfordshire Light Infantry which commemorates the bloody campaign against fanatics in the North West Frontier.

A city constantly changes and we should welcome those developments which seek to enhance public areas and not resist change just because there will be some environmental casualties.

Paul Hornby, Oxford