Warneford Meadow is proving to be one of the unhappiest sagas in Oxford's recent history and the comments by Julie Waldron (Oxford Mail, May 11) just add to the confusion surrounding its future.

City planners did not, as she claims, recommend approval of the Mental Health Trust's plans.

The planners recognised that the proposals, despite months of negotiation, were not in a fit state for approval, so they recommended that councillors approve only the principle of development and not give outline planning permission.

Nevertheless, three area committees rejected this recommendation, and the strategic planning committee quite correctly refused to consider the proposals at all, as they were not proper outline plans.

It is not just planning procedures that the trust is out of sorts with.

The trust is showing an equal disregard for the health benefits of green space.

A report published by the mental health charity Mind shows that walking in green space promotes a sense of wellbeing and helps ameliorate clinical depression.

Mind is calling for greater protection of green space and its greater use for "ecotherapy".

This is precisely the role that Warneford Meadow has been fulfilling since it was purchased in 1918 by public subscription with the explicit aim of providing natural green space for the psychological benefit of hospital patients and the local community.

Instead of appealing against the city council's decision, the trust should pause for a breath of fresh air and take in the significance of Warneford Meadow to local communities.

It should use the money from the development of Park Hospital and Warneford Hospital playing field to fund the ward improvements it needs.

And it should transfer Warneford Meadow to a community trust for the wellbeing of the people of East Oxford.

Andy Boddington, Campaign manager, Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire