SIR — I am afraid, unsurprisingly, that there is a lot of development, and precious little conservation about Winchester College’s plans.

The proposal includes plans to build extensively on existing gardens and playing fields, which is a great shame in such a unique and historic area of the city.

The worst idea is to “restore” the water meadows to their condition in the 1930s.

In the 1960s the college very sensibly decided that removing the cattle and providing a wildlife sanctuary was the right thing to do.

Cutting down all the trees and shrubs, fencing off two large areas north of Garnier Road with three strand barbed wire and grazing cattle in the enclosures, will have a devastating effect on the surroundings.

The insects and invertebrates the current vegetation supports allow a huge variety of wildlife to live there. Even with no cattle there currently, the effect of livestock on the land can be seen for miles south of Garnier Road.

It is featureless and unattractive, with far less of the wildlife we all enjoy so much.

Cattle always escape eventually, and the river and its banks would then be seriously damaged affecting the increasing rare water voles. Effluent will enter the river whenever it rains.

The trees are a great visual barrier to screen the park and ride, the council depot, Domum Road, and flood-lit tennis courts.

The trees are the only sound barrier between the city and the massive traffic noise from the M3.

The loss of amenity would affect local people, and others from all over Winchester and the surrounding area, who come to enjoy walking in the water meadows.

It goes against all current trends to cut down trees and replace them with polluting and methane producing cattle.

I hope all those who care about our surroundings will express their opinions to the college.

Dr Chris Dixon, Kingsgate Road, Winchester.