Sir – You will find no other large probation centre in a residential area like Mill Street anywhere in the UK. This will be a first, a social experiment with us, the residents of West Oxford, as the guinea pigs.
Thames Valley probation chiefs would point you towards Kitts Green, Birmingham, but anyone with access to a computer can look on Google Earth and see its location — on a very large road (twice the size of the Botley Road). it is not down the end of a residential cul-de-sac, near towpaths or green space.
Thames Valley Probation board members weren’t aware of Kitts Green, or any of the anti-social behaviour that has all but destroyed their community.
But surely as board members, party to this decision which may change the face of West Oxford for good, they must now take a good look. If the decision to place this centralized office down our street backfires how will they feel then?
We have already heard from local estate agents that Mill Street will become a rental zone, the local school is likely to suffer due to a lower intake, nurseries may have to close.
And if you talk to anyone in the know they will tell you that the rentals may soon become hostels and halfway houses, the office adjacent to Trajan House is already failing to attract tenants due to probation centre plans; so what services are likely to be placed there in the future I wonder?
So board members, town planners, city councillors, please take note – and act now.
Amanda Whiting, Oxford
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