Sir – I welcome the coalition Government’s proposed return of planning to local planning authorities, recently confirmed in a letter to councils from Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The efforts of many local campaigners on the Oxford Green Belt have paid off, with Mr Pickles’ announcement of the abolition of regional strategies and housing targets.

Of course, we are all aware of the need for affordable housing to meet Oxfordshire’s own requirements, but the very many houses we were being expected to build by the previous government was causing concern and alarm in a number of areas in Oxfordshire.

I am pleased to see an end to these top-down housing targets, and that decisions will now rest with local people instead.

Anne Purse, Shadow cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, Oxfordshire County Council