DEVELOPERS behind the planned Botley regeneration have revealed they will fund £10m towards community benefits if the controversial scheme goes ahead.

Joint partners Doric and Mace announced where part of their Section 106 agreement money would be spent.

The allocation would see £80,000 go towards a £1m dedicated off-road cycle path between Botley and Eynsham and a £100,000 investment in community art. More than £600,000 would be spent on the proposed new community hall, with £500,000 being spent on the planned new library.

Both exisitng buildings would be demolished under its plans to transform the West Way shopping precinct.

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Doric and Mace also want to demolish Field House sheltered housing, Elms Parade shops, the vicarage, and Elms Court office block to build a supermarket, cinema, gym, health centre, shops, 33 flats and 525 student rooms.

The developers said a further £1.5m of its community cash would go on safety and visual improvements and £2m on public space enhancements, like CCTV and bike parking.

Huw Griffiths, from Mace, said: “The application includes a minimum of £10m worth of community investments, which is more than 10 per cent of our total investment.

“The Vision for West Way, cycle improvements and Section 106 package will create a centre suitable for the next generation of Botley.”

Cumnor Cricket Club chairman Ken Mannering welcomed the proposals.

He said: “The sports facilities [gym] and the links with the local community will be really good for the local area. The thought of it being easier to get to the community centre and go shopping with the family is very attractive to me.”

Bike Safe chairman Ian Leggett, whose group is fundraising for the designated cycle path along the B4044 Eynsham Road, said: “It’s great that the developers have changed their tune. For the last two years they have failed to recognise the impact the development will have to cyclists in the area. Whether the amount of £80,000 is what I call fair and appropriate is neither here nor there, it is up to the Vale of White Horse District Council to decide.”

Group member John Blackie added: “We’ve not been in any negotiations of any sort with the developers, they just produced this out of the blue and we have always been against the application because, in simple terms, its wrong. We’ve raised £60,000 ourselves already for the cycle path.

“West Way is still subject to planning permission so the £80,000 is really neither here nor there in that sense.”

West Way Community Concern co-Chairman Chris Church said the improvements changed nothing.

He said: “This is something they are obliged to do.”

Vale of White Horse District Council was due to debate the plans on November 10 but this has been put off a date to be fixed in December.

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