I would like to ask the question: Are Seacourt and West Way the latest subtopias?

If anyone should doubt that Doric’s proposals for modernisation of Botley’s West Way will result in nondescript buildings with no architectural merit, let them have a look at the new frontages presently being erected at the former Habitat store in Seacourt Retail Park. Gone are the tiled pitched roofs and the red/brown brickwork which reflected the style and character of housing in the area and gave a friendly and welcoming feel to the stores. Now we are faced with large grey cladding panels with no texture to add interest or break the monotony. Couple this with flat roofs, grey parapets and exposed external steelwork and we have retail units which look more like industrial sheds. Doric’s proposals for West Way include store frontages which are frighteningly similar.

If Doric’s plans to demolish Elms Parade go ahead we will lose a local landmark and end up with a nondescript shopping centre which is indistinguishable from many others throughout the country.

In the 1950s the architecture critic, Ian Nairn, coined the word ‘Subtopia’ for such areas around cities which he considered had been failed by urban planning, losing their individuality and spirit of place to bland monolithic featureless buildings undifferentiated from each other. It appears as though we have learnt nothing in the intervening years.

If this is what “modernisation” means, I’d much rather be “old fashioned” and shop in an area which reflects the character of the neighbourhood. Don’t be misled by the artistic sun-dappled drawings prepared by the promoters – have a look on the ground at Seacourt and decide if this is what you want for West Way. I certainly do not.

DAVID KANE, Grange Court, Botley, Oxford