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City development is a ‘rare opportunity’
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WEST WAY ROW GATHERS PACE Thursday, November21 - Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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More than 1,000 sign petition against proposed development OVER 1,000 people have signed a petition against the current plans to redevelop the West Way shopping centre in Botley, amid concerns the proposed development would be unsuitable for the area. And 350 Botley residents attended a public meeting on Monday evening held by West Way Community Concern (WWCC). One of the speakers at the meeting was Arthur Howse, owner of Elms Parade which is situated in front of the shopping centre and houses a number of independent retailers. Under property developer Doric’s proposed redevelopment plans, Elms Parade would need to be demolished, along with the centre and Field House. However at the meeting Mr Howse stated he had “no need or desire” to sell Elms Parade, meaning Doric could require Vale of White Horse District Council to obtain a compulsory purchase order. Chris Church, chairman of WWCC, said: “Originally there were plans for a smaller redevelopment which we fully support.
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“Doric then suggested that the development should be larger, and that’s why Elms Parade and Field House come into the picture. “We have no evidence that the Howse family are planning to sell. They repeatedly said they have no need or intention to sell, so if the development goes ahead, the council is in a position where it needs to compulsory purchase. Normally, compulsory purchase is for wrecked buildings where a landowner is simply land-banking them and doesn’t want to sell, which is a bit different. This is a vibrant part of the community.” Cllr Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The precise extent of the scheme that is to be put forward by Doric is not yet known. “Doric does not have to own the land upon which the planning application is submitted. “In these kinds of schemes, there is always an expectation that if a developer wishes to include someone else’s land, they will seek to acquire this interest by negotiation.”
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