PLANS for a multi-million-pound shopping redevelopment in Botley could surface this year.

Vale of White Horse District Council has revealed it is in advanced talks with a developer over the two-acre site next to West Way shopping centre.

But residents have raised fears over the future of small traders if the development brings in a large supermarket.

The Elms Court building, Botley Library, Seacourt Hall and Botley Baptist Church will be demolished to make way for a new development tha is likely to see a large retailer taking centre stage.

The community facilities will be rebuilt within the new development and the council is looking to spend cash made from the deal to revamp the West Way shopping centre.

About 200 residents attended a meeting at SS Peter and Paul Church last week to hear the latest news on the plans after the site was put up for sale last February.

The council’s strategic director Matt Prosser said: “We would like to think that before the end of this year we would see a planning application.”

He said the developer it was talking to would lead the project and try to attract retailers. He believed independent traders could benefit if bigger shops attracted more shoppers to the area.

He also revealed the back of the Co-op store could be sold as part of the redevelopment which was likely to lead to the closure of the store. He hinted that the West Way shopping centre centre could be divided into larger units as part of the subsequent revamp, saying: “Smaller units aren’t always attractive to retailers and developers.”

But Botley resident Bob Cowley said: “Many of us feel we would not like a large new retailer as it would detract from the retail mix we already have.”

Others are concerned any delays could leave the area looking deserted.

Janet Godden, Oxfordshire County Council member for North Hinksey and Wytham, said: “People are very concerned about the possibility of planning blight with shops moving out and units closed for a long time while the area becomes downtrodden.”

Kate El-Barhdadi, who runs the Rococo café, said she hoped the scheme did not bring too many chain stores.

She said: “I don’t want it to turn into another suburb with stores like Starbucks and Costa Coffee.”

Consultation on the plans close on Thursday, April 5. Comments can be made at whitehorsedc .gov.uk/haveyoursay North Hinksey Parish Council chairman Neil Clark said: “Nothing has been signed yet so there is plenty of time to let the council know our views.”

Another retail development in Lamarsh Road, off Botley Road, will bring traders Halfords, Hobbycraft and Dunelm Mill.

The work is expected to finish in June.