Further to the article (Oxford Mail, July 25, Estate Fights to Save Nature Site), although Barton West is ‘being touted as the key to solving the city’s housing shortages’, with only 40 per cent of the proposed homes reserved for social housing, the rest being private housing, this development will barely make a dent in Oxford’s housing list.

In general, Barton residents are in favour of more housing here, though our goodwill is being tested as city council seems determined to take away a valued ‘community and recreation facility’ which cannot be replaced, no matter what the developers offer in its stead.

At 0.9 hectares, Barton Nature Park is tiny.

OCC would like to build 40 households on the site, which can only be done by building a block of flats.

These would overlook neighbouring houses and provide a view of blank brick wall.

The nature park provides an essential block to the noise and air pollution from the northern bypass.

I would like to remind city council that it has set targets to reduce carbon emissions. Cutting down mature trees that absorb CO2 will hardly help in achieving those targets.

RACHAEL PEACE Project Co-ordinator Low Carbon Barton Stowford Road Barton