Sir - Your editorial on March 7 stated that you have "never detected a groundswell of opinion against the Westgate scheme" and that you "believe most people will warmly welcome the redevelopment" especially the John Lewis store.

The vast majority of people who shop and/or live in Oxford will indeed welcome John Lewis, but only because they have no knowledge of the detail of this development. Had they the time and inclination to find out about it, I suggest there would be a groundswell against the Westgate redevelopment.

It is easy to dismiss the people involved in the recent protests and public meeting, but they know instinctively that there is a lot wrong with it. Not so easy to dismiss are people who do know about the detail.

I refer to those who made formal responses to the planning application, before it was granted in October 2006. The overwhelming majority of them were against it, and they gave well-reasoned and informed arguments.

All these responses were published for all to see on the city council's website (planning applications search facility), usually on the day they were received, under the heading Public Comment'. I was impressed at the openness and public availability of information.

The planning application (ref: 06/01211/FUL) is still available on the planning applications search facility. What puzzles me is why all that valuable public comment has been removed from view.

Steve Gerrish Kidlington