Sir, I endorse the regret at the destruction of trees in Oxford (Letters, September 15). There is an application to pull down three houses at 190 Iffley Road.

One, in Art and Crafts style, built in 1909, was designed by the local architect Frank Mountain. A consultant for the application declares that the (allegedly negative) visual impact of the house's lower height is 'softened by the trees and shrubs which are such a striking constituent of this side of the road'. Yet already, before the application was to undergo democratic process, at least one huge tree in the front and all the bushes have recently been cut down, presumably with the consent of the city council. Additionally, the architects' plans for two higher replacement buildings housing 49 student study bedrooms, show no awareness of the magnificent tall trees at the back. Building work can 'accidentally' damage the roots of trees even if they escape advance felling.

When I telephoned a council office, I was informed that trees can only be saved if judged an 'amenity' by rigid planning criteria. Seemingly, they are not appreciated by planning as a wildlife corridor, with a fantastic array of birds recorded for the RSPB. Purely aesthetic criteria also seem irrelevant. Moreover, trees and bushes are an oxygen lung in an area of increasing traffic pollution.

Dr Judith Okely, Oxford