DISCUSSIONS are now under way to come up with fresh ideas for the future of Botley’s West Way shopping centre.

Campaign group West Way Community Concern has started negotiations with developers Mace and Vale of White Horse District Council about the future of the centre.

In December, the Vale council’s planning committee unanimously rejected Doric Properties and Mace’s proposed £100m scheme for the area.

They have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

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Vale leader Matthew Barber said: “Discussions are ongoing to seek proposals for West Way shopping centre that are commercially viable while recognising the community’s concerns.

“We are talking with developers, the campaign group and parish councils.”

The developers’ initial proposals were to flatten Elms Parade and surrounding buildings for a supermarket, hotel, cinema, gym, library, 50 flats and 525 student rooms.

West Way Community Concern is hoping for a smaller proposal that maintains the Elms Parade shops frontage and Field House sheltered housing.

Group chairman Chris Church said good news could be around the corner.

He said: “We are in negotiations with Mace and the Vale and we are pleased they are open to new ideas.

“We hope to announce some positive news in the near future.”

Mr Church said he understood Doric Properties would not be taking part in future discussions but Mace confirmed it was part of the talks.

A spokesman said: “We are talking to the community and the parish on this issue and will continue to engage with the community’s concerns about the future of the West Way shopping centre.”

None of the parties would go into details regarding the discussions but said they were confident a solution would be found in the next month. Doric refused to respond to a request for comment.

Last month, West Way Community Concern held a public meeting, attended by more 120 residents, where people could share their ideas on what they wanted for the long-term future of the centre.

Ruth Cameron, who lives in Botley, said she hoped proposals more suitable to the area would eventually be put forward.

She said: “We have to be realistic. Somebody has to pay for it so it has to be commercially viable.

“As a resident I want to see a development that reflects Botley as a small local centre.

“It should retain the independent local shops and be on a more human scale than the previous scheme.

“Community facilities would be nice, including a new library and an arts centre for all ages.”

In the meantime, a cash pot of £50,000 has been set aside for refurbishment work to the existing centre.

Vale of White Horse District Council has budgeted for essential work and has welcomed residents’ opinions on how the cash should be spent.

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