Sir, Those who could benefit even rather slightly from the increase in "central Oxford's retail space by a quarter" (Report, October 13), including The Oxford Times which would see a rise in advertising revenue and those city councillors whose credibility seems to necessitate their acting like the grateful poor at some manor gate, convey the impression that development is an all-or-nothing venture of a kind which can only be funded by Westgate becoming a huge, central maw of consumption and profit.

This is not true but if it were, how could it be acceptable at a time when the public is beginning to grasp the implications of climate change?

Are we to heed the messages of sustainable survival and begin reducing our carbon emissions by as much as 90 per cent or shall we carry on regardless? Public consultation may have been well intentioned but invariably skips these basic questions, which renders it quite pointlessly irresponsible.

Profit from inflated consumption can't be the only means of reviving a city centre which was ravaged by the last great vision of big bucks in the sunset.

Susan Heeks, Oxford