WEST Oxfordshire District Council is showing a keen sense of maintaining Witney’s local identity with its plan for the town centre.

It eschews out-of-town retail units and is planning to add to the town centre with a cultural quarter and to protect the character of Church Green.

Marriott’s Walk and free parking have been great attractions to bring shoppers to the town.

This plan continues to demonstrate great clarity about preserving what makes Witney distinctive and for that the council should be praised.