The East Area Parliament, in October, democratically rejected a pIanning application to demolish all but the facade of 190 Iffley Road.

This arts and crafts-style building had been judged worthy of saving in last year’s planning inspector’s decision.

Thanks to county councillor Tanner’s call-in, the strategic development control committee reconsidered, then reversed this.

The developer’s plan consists of a huge glass block both beside and behind the facade – with the historic interior totally demolished.

This ‘pile em high’ design will house 27 students in cramped bedsits. The three minimal kitchens for cooking, eating, laundry and socialising – which the architect described as ‘common rooms’ – evokes a very different image of Oxford.

Next I heard with incredulity a Labour city councillor justifying such tiny spaces by saying: “This committee should not judge other’s needs like ours, when we are used to more space.”

I heard this argument used recently in South Africa when someone commented on the shanty towns outside Cape Town. A white woman justified these because ‘they’ were not like ‘us’. ‘They’ were used to smaller spaces and were happier there, she said.

I wonder if students would agree.

Prof Judith Okely Stratford Street Oxford