Sir – As someone who has used and enjoyed the shopping and leisure facilities in Botley, I am absolutely appalled by the proposed demolition of the Elms Parade shopping precinct. This area, perhaps unique in Oxfordshire, is a small-scale development of independent and useful shops, a small supermarket, restaurants, cafes and a bank. Nearby, there is a library, a community centre, and bank which are also threatened with demolition and, perhaps, replacement. The front of the parade would also be threatened by competition by large-scale development. Altogether, it is a pleasant, unhurried place to shop, much-loved by the residents of Botley and other people who appreciate the good car parking spaces. People wanting larger shops can easily get into Oxford or Abingdon or Witney, as there is an excellent bus service. Someone from the Vale district council had the temerity to say that the present area was “not fit for purpose”. Have they spoken to the residents?
I can only conclude it is sheer greed on the part of the council to plan to destroy a thriving community area and replace it with a large, impersonal supermarket and a cinema (ludicrous when most people prefer DVDs) with all the attendant congestion and parking problems.
I do hope there will be a neighbourhood campaign to stop this monstrosity.
A. Corina (Mrs), Oxford
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