SCALED-DOWN plans for West Way Shopping Centre have been described as a "victory for people power" but more needs to be done, according to a campaign group.

Following a protest - involving tall hats - against proposals for buildings of up to nine storeys, Mace - the developer behind the scheme - reduced the heights of several buildings earlier this week.

West Way Community Concern welcomed the concession but said it was "disappointed" that the changes didn't go far enough.

In April more than a hundred residents gathered in the shopping centre demonstrating against the 32.2-metre height of a block on the corner of Westminster Way and West Way.

The group's co-chairwoman Mary Gill said she was disappointed the reduction would only be 3 metres but said the concession was another victory for the people of Botley.

She said: "These changes show the community were right to stand up and demand a better deal for Botley.

"The buildings were clearly too high and when the residents' views were backed up by the Design Review Panel and others it was clear Mace had to concede something."

Mace's amended plans also saw a hotel and student block - which will also house the area's new supermarket - reduced from eight storeys to seven.

However another part of the block has been made taller to ensure similar there remains 261 student rooms and 123 hotel beds.

Dr Gill said the group were disappointed heights had increased elsewhere to maintain "high numbers" of hotel and student rooms at the expense of family housing - original plans submitted in February had 149 family houses but the fresh plans have 140.

The campaigner hoped for further change before final plans were decided on.

She said: "We will continue to engage with Mace and Vale of White Horse District Council about the plans and hope for further changes to make the development more acceptable to the community."

The introduction of public toilets in the new community centre building were welcomed while concerns remained over whether there was sufficient parking and pedestrian safety.

Lib Dem Vale councillor for the area Debby Hallett said: "Mace have done everything they can to take on board and accommodate people's views but they are constrained by the sale price of the land.

"While we are probably down to the lean end of what's economically viable, I still think this development is not for the people of Botley.

"I need to take a close look at the changes but if it addresses the mass and scale issues, traffic and transport implications and creates a lovely outdoor public open space that would be wonderful."

Spokesman for SP Broadway, on behalf of Mace, David MacFarlane, said: "Mace will continue to work with residents, stakeholders and the community as the planning situation progresses."

West Way Community Concern have made the plans available in its shop at 5 Elms Parade but they can also be viewed on the Vale's website.

Residents can comment on the plans until June 2 at whitehorsedc.gov.uk using the reference number P16/V0246/FUL.