it seems to me that any member of a planning committee should possess a modicum of artistic ability and a sense of aesthetics.
This would assist in planning decisions where an artistic eye is needed such as the Port Meadow development.
Another planning eyesore is the over large modernistic animal laboratory in  South Parks Road.
This concrete monstrosity is an absolute eyesore and should never have been passed as the  huge oppressive pillars jut onto the pavement blocking all daylight.
Finally during a recent trip to the planning department I had a good opportunity to look at the Westgate design.
The  tall John Lewis building appears to herald the grand entrance of the new shopping centre.
This John Lewis  building looks like an upturned shoe box.
It is crass,vulgar and completely out of keeping with the historic nature of Oxford.
Oxford is a beautiful city and deserves better designs than this ugly rectangle.
Therefore will all the budding Vermeers and Van Goghs in our planning department please endeavour to use their collective artistic skills and  improve this shoe box tower block?
Otherwise I foresee another regret filled scenario when the full impact of the ugly  entrance block design is realised.