Sir - NOC's planning application at Upper Heyford is now available for inspection on the Cherwell District Council (CDC) website.

Those hoping for a prompt decision leading to both the start of development and access to the Cold War heritage site might be disappointed.

Although it has been formally established through the relevant Structure Plan policy that the primary purpose of allowing new development in an otherwise unsuitable location is the conservation of the Cold War heritage, the very low priority afforded to this by both the owners and CDC might explain why this aspect has been omitted from the description of the development.

The detail of the application actually shows that the primary purpose of the flying field would be for commercial storage and distribution, with limited access for those interested in its Cold War history, who can also visit displays in a Second World War hangar and the nearby Battle Command Centre.

Doing CDC's bidding, NOC propose to demolish 12 Hardened Aircraft Shelters (the last attempt cost £100,000 and resulted in it moving about four inches ) but, thankfully, not the perimeter fence. If all parties accepted the policy and legal constraints over unjustified demolition in the conservation area which covers the site, this part of the application could be quickly settled.

The main disagreement will be about the financial contribution being offered by NOC. The Structure Plan makes it absolutely clear that no development at Upper Heyford is acceptable except, " . . . as a means of enabling environmental improvements and the heritage interest of the site as a military base with Cold War associations to be conserved . . .".

On that basis NOC paid the Government just £24m for the 300 existing dwellings, and are now, unreasonably, trying to hold on to the profits from building the 725 additional houses, which should be going to Cold War heritage.

Daniel Scharf, Oxford Trust for Contemporary History, Cholsey