Your article, Planners think big (Oxford Mail, October 30), shows that the Government and the local authority have at last woken up to the fact that we are fast losing three-bedroom houses and soon there will be a shortage of family homes.

My letter, Housing muddle (Oxford Mail, October 13), highlighted the muddled-thinking in the council's planning policy, where it has been easy to hide behind Government directives to allow conversion of three-bed family homes into one and two-bed flats.

In many areas, this has had a disastrous effect and ruined the community spirit.

For the Liberal Democrat council leader John Goddard to say: "It has been difficult in Oxford to prevent the sub-division of three-bedroom houses, and we are already carrying out research into how to strike a better balance" (Oxford Mail, October 30), shows that the Lib Dems have no planning policy.

Where has Mr Goddard been all these years not to realise what is happening in Oxford?

Has he turned a blind eye, safe in the knowledge that what is happening is not in his area?

The recent announcement that the redevelopment plans, replacing pre-fab 'Orlit' houses in Rose Hill, will not take place until autumn next year (Oxford Mail, October 20) is a heaven-sent opportunity for the Lib Dems to amend proposed plans to comply with the latest Government directives.

As no detailed plans have been drawn up, it should be possible to meet the new housing policy of the 'enlightened' Government which wants all new developments to have a 'family feel'.

At each meeting I attend, I am assured that plans can be altered to meet the needs of the community.

Will the Lib Dems accept this challenge, or will they come up with excuses?

VIM RODRIGO Rivermead Road Rose Hill Oxford