I wish to take issue with the comments in the newspaper made by Simon Hillcox (October 25) and Huw Griffiths (16 October) about the Doric plans to redevelop the West Way shopping centre in Botley.

I do not believe there is a silent majority of supporters that Mr Griffiths refers to. For example, for the latest petition I knocked on every door on one side of a street in Botley.

There were 27 people who signed the petition to ‘Drop the West Way Plans’, and only two people supported the Doric proposals. In one household two people signed, but another supported the proposed scheme ‘as anything is better than what we have now’. The discussions were very friendly. From this sample more than 90 per cent did not support the Doric proposals.

The latest petition was smaller than the previous petition that Mr Hillcox refers to. This was because it was generated in a few days before the Vale full council meeting on October 15. The council meeting was primarily on the draft Local Plan to 2031, which refers to West Way. The petition, with 650 signatures including the ones I collected, was presented and a statement made to the council.

At the council changes to Core Policies 3 and 11 of the draft Local Plan were agreed. Botley will not now function or be equivalent to a district centre in the Oxford City context. Botley is categorised as a Local Service Centre in Core Policy 3.

This reflects the opinion of the majority of local people that West Way should serve the local population, as at present, and not a much wider area. People want a smaller scheme to revitalise West Way without demolishing the key features of Elms Parade, Field House and the Vicarage.

Dr Dudley Hoddinott Liberal Democrat District Councillor for Cumnor and Appleton, Cumnor Hill