Hundreds flock to view West Way shopping plans (From Oxford Mail)
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Hundreds flock to view West Way shopping plans
9:30am Friday 1st March 2013 in News
HUNDREDS flocked to an exhibition yesterday on the proposed multi-million pound regeneration of Botley.
In the first two hours more than 400 people attended the exhibition held in Seacourt Hall, Chapel Way, Botley.
People will tomorrow have a second chance to learn about plans to demolish the 1960s West Way shopping centre, which would make way for a new shopping and leisure hub.
Developers Doric want to build a new supermarket, a multi-screen cinema and a new community centre with the existing Baptist Church and public library replaced.
Visitors heard that Doric is now also considering replacing Field House, which provides 60 flats for the elderly. The development would provide 400-500 jobs, as well as jobs during the construction phase.
The exhibition is open tomorrow, 11am-3pm.
Comments(2)
hokuspokus
says...
4:06pm Fri 1 Mar 13
We don't want a massive supermarket and car park. The Co-op, Tesco metro, Iceland and Aldi down the road are sufficient. Easy to drive to a bigger supermarket if not.
Brookes have built new student flats up the road and may build more. Better to have them on their campus than in the shopping centre.
What we do want is more independent outlets, not a Doric clone town.
spam_me_harder says...
1:22pm Fri 1 Mar 13
One supermarket to be at least the size of the Sainsbury's at heyford hill, along with underground parking.
200+ student flats, built in two six-story blocks.
A four-screen cinema.
Let's not pretend that Doric are doing this out of any community spirit. They're in it to make a profit.
Given there are currently three supermarkets in the Botley area (which will not be replaced) this will reduce choice and dramatically increase traffic.
There are already four cinemas in Oxford, five if you include the one in Kassam. A new cinema at the expense of existing shops doesn't sound like it will provide any benefit to the community.
I for one would like the shopping in Botley to be renovated, yes, but not at the expense of removing the choice we currently have and demolishing the center of what is a modest community.