THE report in Saturday’s Oxford Mail that Templars Square in Cowley could be redeveloped quite excited me because it’s something that I have long thought could be the future.

Far better a development in Cowley than at the Westgate.

Long gone are the days when Oxford centre provided what was an ideal shopping centre, when most people went there by bus.

Over the years the area round Oxford has expanded, making it difficult to cope with an increased population in a rather cramped medieval city.

Added to that are changes in the way people shop but, worst of all, the feeling of most people that they must get there by car, despite the problems created by the tortuous road system and shortage of parking spaces.

Oxford would be best served by doing the things that this city does best – teaching, and its scientific spin offs, and tourism.

Most people live in the east of the city and this must surely be where the main area of shops should be.

The proposed plans do seem to be rather half-hearted because, in my mind’s eye, I imagined all the shops under cover in a multi-storey buildings which bridged Between Towns Road and surrounded squares of restful gardens.

Most importantly, there should be enough parking spaces to cope with the maximum demand – even if underground.

I can’t see that it’s important to add housing but, perhaps this is the only way that the developers feel that it will pay.

DERRICK HOLT
Fortnam Close, Headington, Oxford