HAVING read and listened to so much negative comment about the West Way redevelopment scheme I feel I must voice an opinion for the silent majority.

I was born in Botley before the last war and although I have lived away from the area for a while this is my home where I now live.

In the 1940s the Botley Parade of shops was quite sufficient for all our needs, there being a greater variety of trades. However, in those days the population of the area was much smaller. There were none of the estates off Eynsham Road or Cumnor Hill and Elms Rise was just being built. Westminster College did not exist and the Anglican Church was a corrugated iron building. To cope with the rising population we were given Botley Precinct.

It was built cheaply and now shows its age and is a disgrace for what is a relatively prosperous area.

When delivery lorries try to navigate the narrow roads there is chaos.

Botley has lived in the past for too long. We need a bold, imaginative plan that will supply not just food, but will serve the wider needs of the whole community.

I believe that the proposed plan gives us all of that.

It is well designed with plenty of light and relaxing open areas for pedestrians. A large car parking area which we are told will be free for shoppers for up to three hours.

Also, a range of small shops in addition to the food hall plus cafes and a cinema to keep our young people off the streets and particularly out of the horrors of late-night Oxford.

Most of them will be able to walk home and parents will know where their children are.

I have heard people say “we don't want students here”. Rather a stupid remark. Where would Oxford be without students?

What would many of us be doing with our lives if we had not at some time ourselves been a student?

In any case it is a false argument because many of the houses in the area are already student bed-sit accommodation.

This is quite obvious when one looks at the rather run-down state of some of the houses in Arthray Road and the surrounding area. If these students were housed in purpose- built rooms in the new development it would free-up much-needed houses for young families.

And I say to Rev Sykes (Letters, October 29) that some people are being bullied into signing a petition.

If a board is thrust under your nose and you are told to sign I consider this intimidation, especially when one is treated rudely when you refuse.

There are proper channels to object if you feel strongly enough. The ‘anti’ campaign is trying to deny the community of Botley what it badly needs and is very much looking forward to.

A Woodward, Copse Cottage, Tubney

Today’s letters

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