I am writing concerning clarification of the contents made in the article “Organisers urge visitors to fete to unite against the plans”, September 16.

Your article implies that North Hinksey Parish Council, in supporting the “Third Botley Big Fete”, supports the use of the fete to campaign against the latest West Way plans put forward by Doric Properties and their partner Mace.

This is not the case.

When the request for funds was made to the council, no mention was made of the political aims of the fete. A grant was made for a non-political community event, run exclusively for the local community.

Today’s letters

As a result of the fete being hijacked by a pressure group, the council now wishes to disassociate itself from the recent comments made in the press. North Hinksey Parish Council Planning Committee has not yet had an opportunity to comment on the revised plans for the West Way development, recently presented by Doric and Mace.

The committee is not affiliated to single issue/multiple pressure groups, and members with such affiliations have to declare their interests in relation to each planning application, usually leading to their disqualification from voting on it.

Its members represent the varied views of all parishioners in North Hinksey Parish, not those of a pressure group.

Cllr A. Pritchard, Chairman of NHPC Council and its Planning Committee and the following members of the NHPC Planning Committee, Cllrs Mrs. V. Carr, Mrs. A. Dykes, Mrs. J. Hammett, A. Hardiman and D. Kay

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