Sir, Now that half of the Trap Grounds has been declared a Town Green (Report, September 15) the local community looks forward to using it for lawful sports and pastimes' with improved access from Navigation Way.

The derelict scrub which has grown up over the dumped waste has little intrinsic merit as a nature reserve, presumably owing its designation as a Site of Local Interest for Nature Conservation (SLINC) to the valuable reed bed alongside. This reed bed certainly requires a buffer zone.

Many local residents hope that room can be found to build the access road to serve SS Philip and James School (Report, September 15) and the Laing estate. This road is in the structure plan, has planning permission in principle and would create considerable environmental benefits elsewhere. If it were built along the western side of the Trap Grounds, alongside the railway line, there would still be room for both community use and a buffer zone.

Tim King, Oxford