A CAMPAIGN group has urged a council leader to ditch a major redevelopment of Botley’s West Way shops, warning the scheme has “grown out of all proportion”.

West Way Community Concern said landowner Vale of White Horse District Council should drop its work with Doric Properties to redevelop the shopping area.

In a letter to council leader Matthew Barber it said there was “ample support” for a council plan from February 2012 to redevelop the former Botley Library building and rundown shopping centre.

But it is now working with Doric Properties and other landowners to develop the area and the Elms Parade of shops to include a supermarket, cinema and 600 student flats.

The campaign group – led by Chris Church – told council leader Matthew Barber: “What is proposed has grown out of all appropriate proportion. We now stand to lose all the buildings and spaces that form the centre of our community.”

The group said the development would be “completely out of scale with its surroundings” and added that the “vast majority” of more than 720 people who responded to a campaign survey voiced concerns.

Mr Church said: “Doric has shown no signs of listening to local concerns so we are approaching you as both the proposers and planning authority.”

Urging the Vale council to return to its 2012 plan, he said: “We request that you pull back from this unwanted over-development of Botley.”

Mr Barber, who replied to the group with the offer of a meeting, said: “I think comprehensive redevelopment is the best solution – what the end result is, still remains to be seen. Clearly, whatever the final solution is has to fit with the nature of the community.”

A Doric spokesman said it is continuing to consult with residents and is seeking views by Monday, October 21.

Contact Doric on 0800 019 2054 or doricproperties.com/ contact-us