I am writing concerning your article on Saturday, October 25, ‘West Way supporters bullied into silence’. It seems to be the regurgitation of another sloppy press release from the developer. There is no objective substantiation of the claims the developer makes with regard to either bullying or a silent majority. A bully is defined as a person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate others typically to force them to do something they don’t want to do.

Objectively applying this definition to the elderly residents of Field House, my family, the residents and businesses of the West Way area, who will suffer forced relocation if this scheme goes through, shows that we are being bullied.

It’s not good enough to dismiss the community of Botley in this way. They have turned out in their droves to stand up to the developer.

A total of 1,000 people have invested vast amounts of time studying the plans and revealing the systemic flaws in the whole proposal.

Today’s letters

The developer knows that their proposal is deeply unpopular. It is an imposition on Botley of a neither wanted nor needed monstrosity. It can only come into being if they team up with VWHDC and use compulsory purchase orders to drive us from our homes against our will.

It is time that they move from silly press releases like this to listening to those who have to live with their scheme.

Botley deserves better than this. We want the West Way local centre developed in keeping with the character of our surroundings. We would welcome consideration of a radically different proposal and indeed should one be put forward, that takes into account the valid planning objections already lodged, Botley will be right behind the developer who makes such a proposal.

Rev Graham Sykes, Osney Rectory, West Way, Botley, Oxford

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