GREEN environments are good for you. Quite apart from the implications for biodiversity and climate change, there is considerable evidence that people are happier and healthier in a green environment.

With the current trend towards the replacement of houses by blocks of flats with large areas of parking, the character of our city, as well as its health, is at risk from the loss of greenery of all kinds.

Last June the city council called for a greater emphasis on the need for adequate planted green space in all planning applications.

Letters were to be written to the city’s MPs to ask them to support the principle of more, properly maintained, planting of trees and shrubs and to raise the issue within parliament.

Almost a year later, we have a report suggesting that what is needed is a ‘tree strategy’, costing £40,000 to prepare, and that there are no funds for this, so nothing at all will be done to increase planting in the city.

The report dismissed the council’s resolutions and said it “would be inappropriate to write to the city’s MPs”, as no action is being taken.

However, letters had been written to Andrew Smith, and Evan Harris, and both replied last autumn. Both had replied in support and enclosed letters from ministers also in support. It seems that the city council mislaid these replies.

Oxford is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and yet is ignoring one key area where progress could be made.

It does not cost £40,000 to instruct planning officers to encourage planting.

JEAN FOOKS, Oxford city councillor and Oxfordshire county councillor and candidate