Sir – The row over the Castle Mill flats does not go away, and it is clear that any permanent and significant amelioration will be hugely expensive.

So while the city fathers and the University debate, could I in the mean time suggest one modest step that could easily be taken?

Looking at the flats from the far north of Port Meadow, as I did in the glorious weather we had on the recent Bank Holiday, they are highly visible and intrusive not so much because of their height blocking the view (which is an issue from closer up), but because the white render on the western gable ends catches the afternoon sunlight and stands out starkly.

A darker, less reflective colour could surely be applied which would make the flats far less prominent on the distant view of the city from that end of the meadow.

David Bradbury, Oxford