Sir – The Government proposal to abolish Regional Spatial Strategies (Report, May 27) had been expected and CPRE Oxfordshire welcomes the move to reform planning and give back greater control to local communities.

But we need a clear, effective system to replace “top down” targets and deliver genuinely sustainable solutions, with protection for the countryside, the Green Belt, important landscapes and habitats.

It is a golden opportunity to deliver sensible, sustainable planning and reduce the complexities which bedevil the current system.

With the districts in the midst of their core strategies, the last thing Oxfordshire needs is a period of uncertainty and policy vacuum as this will only encourage speculative planning applications.

We would urge the Government to expedite new arrangements after full consultations, and provide effective national guidance which does not ride roughshod over local concerns.

With South East Plan targets removed, we would urge the five districts to reconsider their housing plans to 2026 and formulate core strategies which are more sustainable and more in tune with local views. Finally, this should not be a green light for the city to renew their ambitions to expand into the Green Belt.

The Central Oxfordshire sub-regional strategy aims to maintain the city as a vibrant centre while creating more jobs, and investment in towns such as Bicester and Didcot to relieve the pressures.

We call on the five districts and county council to now work together responsibly to give new life to the Central Oxfordshire concept.

Alan Jones, Chairman, CPRE Oxfordshire, Holton