Sir – Councillor Young raises some interesting points in her letter (Letters, May 12) concerning members of the council going against the advice of officers on planning applications and how this will be more difficult when area committees are abolished.

This is true and is to be deeply regretted at a time when councillors should be exerting more authority over the quality of applications.

The community should express its views through councillors who should not hide behind officers’ advice If such an attitude had prevailed it is difficult to see how many of the buildings which now disfigure our streets would have been allowed. Comparable cities such as Cambridge or York have not been disfigured in the manner that Oxford has and this is partly from the reason that councillors take a more interventionist attitude.

The same approach would be welcome in this city.

Paul Hornby, Oxford