Sir – When the Oxford Area Arts Council took over the Fire Station in the early 1970s I had the job of day-to-day running of the place as a community arts centre.

It was obvious to me at the time that the people willing to come to hire the rooms to practise their art (music, painting, crafts, dance, drama etc) were mainly middle class.

This was quite disappointing because it had been set up for the whole community in Oxford and surrounding areas. Now, the place seems to be thriving as a different type of venue, but one which encourages local artists and drama groups. If it is working, why change it? If there does happen to be £3.4m available for the homeless, surely, logically, it should be used for affordable or subsidised homes! I have just returned from almost 20 years in Australia and am surprised by this new idea for the Old Fire Station and agree with Mr Tavener that nobody who is homeless will want to use it.

Dian Elvin (Mrs), Long Hanborough