I AM writing to express my dismay at the plans currently being presented by Doric for the redevelopment of our local shopping centre in Botley.

While I welcome much needed improvements to the centre and fully appreciate the need to generate profitable funds in order to do this, I believe the sheer size and scale of what is being proposed is completely unsuitable for the site and will seriously harm the quality of life of the residents of this area.

The plans appear to replace one lot of out-of-date square concrete buildings with another set of equally unsightly and somewhat larger square concrete blocks.

Doric present themselves as wanting to improve our neighbourhood, yet present their plans in a very one-sided fashion. For example when putting their case forward for a cinema, refer to the fact that Cineworld already operate cinemas 11 and 19 miles away in Witney and Didcot, yet fail to mention that there are cinemas less than two miles away in Oxford (with another planned in the Westgate redevelopment) and another six miles away at The Ozone.

To want to displace our local vicar and elderly residents from their homes and re-house them in a newer higher density development is nothing more than sheer profiteering. As these properties sit to one end of the development this site could be redeveloped without displacing vulnerable people.

I sincerely hope that when making their decisions on planning and whether to go ahead and approve the sale, that the Vale of the White Horse District Council remember that they are elected to serve the residents of this area and not just to make a quick buck from the sale of this site and walk away leaving generations to come to live with the consequences.

I would echo Janet Godden’s comments from the West Way Concern meeting, that whatever happens should be done for Botley and not to Botley.

ALISON BARNETT Raleigh Park Road Botley Oxford