Letter: Oxford fights for green belt

Oxford fights for green belt

Sir: Mr Gillard-Watson (letter, 31 January) says that the Oxford green belt has never been confirmed. In fact, the great majority of it has already been confirmed. His real argument appears to be with Oxford City Council, for having been unable to confirm the part of the green belt that lies within the City boundaries.

Oxford City Council has always supported the green belt. The council's first attempt at drawing up an inner boundary for the green belt was rejected following a public inquiry in the Sixties, as being too tightly drawn. A second attempt was similarly rejected in the Eighties. The council's third attempt to define the boundary in the Oxford Local Plan is currently going through the final adoption procedures. This should hopefully lead to confirmation of the remaining part of the green belt this summer.

STEF SPENCER,

Chair, Planning Committee

Oxford City Council