Sir - I am extremely upset by the planned extension and development of the Westgate centre in Oxford and the building of a new multi-storey car park.

This will be on council land and is totally inappropriate for Oxford for the following reasons: 1: There is a far greater needfor housing than for shops and there is pressure on Green Belt for housing. Houses instead of shops would reduce the pressure.

2: The centre of Oxford and roads from the south and east are very crowded already especially at weekends. This development will dramatically worsen this situation.

3: Recently a study found that children's pollution-related illnesses, such as asthma, had improved since the amount of traffic in the centre was reduced.

The increase in traffic due to the proposed development will reverse this trend. The park-and-rides work well in reducing pollution in the centre. A new multi-storey car park will help reverse this. With the public attention on climate change it seems strange that a situation that will increase carbon admissions is planned for Oxford.

4: Oxford's main library will be smaller. It is a great resource for Oxford.

5: We do not need a larger shopping centre and especially large chains. It will not add anything to Oxford. It will take business and staff from small local shops and business from the Oxford suburbs such as Cowley and Headington. An independent public inquiry is required.

Paul Greening, Oxford