Michael Wigg, head of projects and deputy director of estates at Oxford University, claimed he was unaware that he did not have planning permission for the electricity sub-station at Old Road, Headington, Oxford (Oxford Mail, January 31).

He says he was embarrassed having to explain to the area committee the oversight.

To add insult to injury, he said that this was the first time it had happened and would be the last.

I would like to remind Mr Wigg that in 1999, the university submitted a planning application for the erection of railings and a security gate at Court Place Gardens, Rose Hill, which it withdrew after protests from residents in the area.

A few months later, unknown to the residents and the city planning department, the university erected railings and a gate without planning permission.

Because of protests from residents, the university was asked to submit an application by a certain date for retrospective planning permission.

It failed to meet the date and to our dismay, the planning enforcement officer refused to take action.

Even our councillors let us down when, eventually, they granted permission, totally disregarding conditions previously imposed when development of the land for married graduate accommodation was given.

This is discrimination of the worst kind -- one law for the rich, another for the poor.

Regarding the monstrosity built at Old Road, the city authorities should have demanded it be demolished.

This will not be the first, second or last time planning laws and 'conditions' imposed will be ignored as the university is aware that the city will not challenge it.

VIM RODRIGO

Rivermead Road

Rose Hill

Oxford