Sir – Responding to Roger Jenking’s letter of March 1 and the subsequent letter from Stephen Lunn (March 8), we would like to explain why the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has an active district committee concerned with Oxford.

Since we were set up in 1931 we have aimed to protect the green spaces within the city and its setting and by campaigning for the preservation of the Green Belt both within and beyond the city boundary.

We see access to this green space as a high priority, not only for the proven health benefits, but also for encouraging appreciation of the broader environment.

More recently it has been recognised that green spaces play an important role in mitigating the effects of urban climate change.

Oxford has something unique to protect. A recent statement on ‘The Heritage of Oxford’ says, “The green setting of Oxford is one of its most renowned features . . . The parks and gardens in both the city centre and its suburbs make Oxford an unusually green city, offset its architectural treasures, contribute to its picturesque landscape suburbs, the rural character of ‘villages within the city’, and make an important contribution to the quality of the environment across the city.”

We are concerned that Oxford City Council’s Green Spaces Strategy (2012-2026) — recently sent out for consultation — should make a real effort to meet the agreed target of providing 5.75 hectares of green space per 1,000 population.

Currently areas such as Littlemore, Blackbird Leys, Barton, East Oxford and Headington fall well below that provision.

And to correct one misapprehension: CPRE is not against wind farms; it only opposes them when proposed for inappropriate locations, and it sees the promotion of renewable energy as one of its important aims.

Dr Sietske Boeles, Chairman, CPRE Oxford City