Sir - Your article on April 20 entitled Futuristic North Oxford gateway planned raises an interesting issue around property developers and the games they play.

The developer has submitted an application for a space-age 'landmark' building to stand right over the Cutteslowe roundabout, where Banbury Road crosses the A40. But the interesting question is - why?

The first reaction from everyone to this proposal is that it is remarkably silly to be thinking of putting an eye-catching, attention-grabbing structure looming over an extremely busy roundabout.

Distracting drivers, even for an instant, will almost certainly increase the already common incidence of traffic accidents, with the subsequent increased danger of serious injury or even loss of life.

But we have to assume the developer is not stupid, and must also realize this fact.

So why make a proposal that seems doomed to fail? One possibility is that the developer hoped to slip this past overworked council staff and an apathetic public. If it could do this, then presumably it would get a discount from the architect since it will provide a platform for the architect's daring work.

Perhaps more likely is that this is the old 'bait and switch' game. The developer wants to put up nine flats, and fears a backlash from local opinion.

So a proposal is made which is totally unacceptable. Then, in a sign of good faith, the developer agrees to back off the controversial proposal with a plan for the nine flats that is more in keeping with the surroundings and not such a danger to traffic.

Everyone is so relieved that the first proposal has been abandoned that the follow-up is approved immediately. Personally, I regard these games as a waste of everyone's time. People are generally reasonable if you are open with them up front.

Steve Craggs, Oxford