I AM appalled by the impression that the Doric property firm is trying to give that people shop elsewhere because Botley shops “aren’t good enough”.

There has been huge opposition to their proposed plans, which are all about making money for the Vale of White Horse District Council, which owns the land, and the developers rather than listening to what local people want.

I for one buy all my meat from the independent butcher and use the other shops and services too, making around four trips every week. Big is not beautiful, it is a blot on the landscape.

Elms Parade, in which many of the shops are sited, is full of character and most residents want to keep its attractive facade. We do not want it replaced with a block of up to six storeys resembling the Byker Wall.

This development would lead to increased problems in an already congested area. How can the developers support their argument that these proposals “for 600 student flats, a major supermarket, cinema, etc” will lead to “far less traffic clogging the roads”?

I will be one of those forming a human chain in the protest planned at Elms Parade on November 23.

I urge anyone else who doesn’t want the parade bulldozed to join me. This is not regeneration. It’s ripping the heart out of the community.

MARIA JEFFERY
High Street
Cumnor