I am greatly concerned about the hype surrounding the redevelopment of the Botley shopping precinct.

Having been the recipient of hate mail, and my wife recently having been “spoken to” at our doorstep rather rudely by an elected member of the political party organising the opposition to the redevelopment, I was nervous to provoke further negativity by providing my name and address.

I feel, however, that the harassment that I and other supporters have been victim to should be made known to readers as well as my concern that the rhetoric surrounding the opposition is becoming extremely pugnacious and the facts presented in their arguments are quite stretched from factual accuracy.

I am aware of many who would like to speak in support of the redevelopment, but won’t because they feel bullied into silence by the vocal minority who seem determined to camouflage facts.

Recently, a second social event was held to protect the shopping parade at which, it was claimed, there were 700 people. A group of photographers took pictures and added up the number of people, only to find a maximum of 298, which included those ostensibly waiting at the bus stop.

To add insult to absolutely no injury, several shopkeepers were heard saying, “I don’t know half the people in this crowd. I have never seen them inside my shop in all the years I have been here.”

There is so much negative press and hateful language against this project, most of which is ill-informed, driven strongly by political compulsions and targeted at people, drowning out any REAL issues that should be discussed. I do wish the silent majority would stand up to those who try to silence them.

Given the fact I have been targeted to receive hate mail, I orginally did not want my name and address published. However, I have now changed my mind as I feel this letter should be published and my opinion heard.

The Rev Kalyan Das, Minister Botley Baptist Church, Westminster Way, Oxford 

Today’s letters

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