THE developers behind the proposed £100m Botley regeneration scheme have claimed some of their supporters have been “bullied into silence”.

The comments come after a petition with 970 signatures was handed to the Vale of White Horse District Council calling on them to reject the plans for the West Way redevelopment.

Simon Hillcox, partner of Doric Properties, said: “We have consistently encouraged every member of the community to express their opinion on our proposals, whatever it may be, to help feed into our design process. As testament to this, I understand that a recent petition against our proposals received almost half the signatures that an earlier petition had. I am concerned, however, to hear of the behaviour of some against our proposals as our supporters have felt bullied into silence.”

Campaign group West Way Community Concern collected the recent signatures in the 10 days after the consultation and the petition was presented to Wednesday’s Vale planning committee.

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Sandy Lovatt, vice-chairman of the planning committee, said they would give the petition their “fullest consideration”, adding: “We are due to hear the application on the November 10 and the planning committee is obliged to consider the application according to planning laws.”

A decision on the £100m Botley regeneration scheme is due to go before Vale councillors next month.

Developers Doric and joint partners Mace want to build a supermarket, cinema, gym, health centre, shops, 33 flats and 525 student rooms and replace Field House sheltered housing.

Objectors to the proposals include Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and Oxford Civic Society.

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