DORIC’s diabolical development decision day is looming. The face and character of Botley may be destroyed forever against the wishes of the vast majority of its residents.

This is like living in a nightmare, contemplating losing our friendly shopping precinct, and its small traders.

Also the criminal demolition of Field House without a thought for the 60 elderly ‘dispensable’ residents.

And the 525 students dumped in the middle of our community, what a brilliant anti-social act.

There will be a massive supermaket – although our present Co-op is perfectly adequate, with Aldi only 500 yards away. There will be another multi-screen cinema with one at the Kassam Stadium and another in the new Westgate development.

What really frightens me is that Mr Matthew Barber, the leader of Vale of White Horse District Council (who doesn’t reside in Botley) has already decided that Doric is what we are having, like it or not (March 5).

Mr Barber is entitled to his own opinion, but so are the residents of Botley. Should Mr Barber push this dreadful Doric deal though, he will be committing political suicide. The voters of Botley will remember him and the unforgivable thing he has done forever.

Doric’s Mr Hillcox says he is doing this to give us the high street we never wanted anyway. Cynically I suspect it is purely for profit, regardless of how many people’s lives are ruined in the process.

P Couling, North Hinksey Lane, Botley