Sir – Oxford Preservation Trust has concerns about the impact on the streetscape of the current proposals for a lecture theatre and kitchen buildings at Worcester College (Report, August 23).


The impact on heritage assets, setting and conservation area will be considered as part of this planning application where the ‘significance’ of each element can be assessed. However in this case, there is an additional complication in the form of a
21m-tall tree with a newly-confirmed status.
Trees are an integral part of the planning process, but the tree in question at Worcester College is about as significant as any tree can be in a planning application. It happens to be a remarkable and healthy Western Catalpa tree, which is a ‘champion’ specimen, ie the tallest or fattest in the British Isles.
In fact it is the tallest tree of this species which has ever grown in these islands. In July it was covered in flowers and this could be appreciated from the surrounding streets.
Rick Mather’s proposals do not hide the tree, but they will make it less visible from a key view from Gloucester Lane, a point highlighted by the city council’s tree officer.
Trees of such elite dendrological importance are not given any extra statutory protection than any tree in a conservation area. I hope that the national importance of this ‘living monument’ is given the due weighting by the planning system — it is like discovering a Constable masterpiece in the attic. It is something the college, its students and the public can treasure.
Michael Lear, Osney