Sir – You have covered the progress of the Summertown/St Margaret’s Neighbourhood Forum as it has developed over the last months. We are now nearing the time when the city council will be consulting on a development brief for the very large site, which includes not only both the Diamond Place and the Ferry Pool car parks but also Ewert House and its car park.

Consultation with local people and with those visiting Summertown has thrown up both what people value and what they like less in this district centre. Your article (August 15) highlighted the interest in a new purpose-built health centre on the site. Local GP surgeries are struggling to cope with demand and one practice is closing due to the retirement of two partners.

Unfortunately, the article appeared to say that I was much in favour of new retail units on the site. This is absolutely not what I have said — demand for new retail is slowing with the changes in shopping habits so I think we should aim to encourage particular uses if we can, such as a business incorporating a post office, and concentrate on other local needs, including perhaps housing for the elderly. And a new health centre offering more than just GP services would be much welcomed by people living in the area.

The Neighbourhood Forum steering group is holding a consultation evening at the North Oxford Community Centre on Wednesday, September 4, when the city council will explain how the development brief will be drawn up. This is the opportunity for local people to have their say on what they want to see on the site.

Jean Fooks, Summertown ward councillor, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oxford City Council