I FEAR that Oxford City Council know they have made a mistake over the St Clement’s car park but they cannot admit to it.

They have accepted a non-returnable deposit from Watkins Jones of £350,000 to develop our car park into student accommodation – the only car park that serves St Clement’s, Cowley Road and the High Street.

Subject to planning permission that can only be granted by, yes, the city council.

A group of 145 businesses from the High Street, St Clement’s, and Cowley Road have supported an objection letter prepared by John Phillips Planning Consultants, submitted to the council.

I have spoken to all of these traders and scores of my customers and opposition is almost unanimous. Why push through with a plan that is so unpopular?

The council has not done a proper survey to establish the potential damage to our community. My customer survey last weekend found over 30 per cent used the car park.

So the upshot is that the council gets £3.5m in cash while our businesses flounder.

Those 145 businesses must mean a fortune in rates, revenue and employment.

Am I naive in expecting that my local council should protect the community’s interest?

Could selling council-owned property in the city centre have provided the necessary cash without the long-term damage?

I started my business in Cowley Road 19 years ago. Many of the buildings were boarded up or long-term empty.

Since then I have employed hundreds of wonderful people who have attracted thousands more visitors to our unique and vibrant part of Oxford.

Hundreds of other independent traders have done the same, year in year out, ensuring the individuality and success of our area. These 145 agree we need more parking in Oxford not less.

Our council is not listening.

Who are they working for again?

CLINTON PUGH, Café Coco Ltd