Sir – I don’t know enough about the specific issue to comment on the proposed Woodstock extension, but I was appalled by the attitude of Peter Jay (First Person, September 11).

He does not even accept the certainty of a national housing shortage. He seems to think that West Oxfordshire should not be developed because of its beauty.

To be honest, I’d class much of the district as pretty rather than beautiful since the advent of intensive farming. Is it more attractive than its neighbours, the Vale of White Horse, Cotswold or Stratford upon Avon?

If not, should they, too, be ‘spared’ development? Every part of the country should accept a proportionate and thoughtful population increase and consequent development. Privileged people in attractive areas should do their part.

Roger Jenking, Headington