Sir – George Smith criticises the Real Need Not Speculator Greed for narrow focus, failure to support national priorities and “smearing ordinary people”.

Perhaps he would care actually to read and reflect on the campaign’s arguments and objectives (www.neednotgreedoxon.org.uk)?

Far from being narrowly focused and narrowly obsessed, it calls for proper planning across the county. Far from smearing ordinary people it calls for involving them in much more widespread consultation than at present envisaged – including the opportunity to argue out just how much growth Oxfordshire can take without irreparably damaging our environment and quality of life.

Far from seeking to deny new housing it calls for the sort of housing we most need at genuinely affordable prices or rents (eg many more two bedroom houses rather than the much bigger “executive-style” ones which make greater profits for developers, and a much higher proportion of social housing).

Above all the campaign wants to empower local people, to persuade the small group of council leaders and business interests currently driving planning decisions to give us all a genuine say in what is to happen rather than going through the motions of consultation. Does Mr Smith, or anyone else, object to rather than applaud such an aim?

John Gordon
Chairman, South Oxfordshire Sustainability (SOS)
Wallingford