We can understand councillors not being happy at the prospect of car parks on land either side of Oxford ice rink. If this was a permanent scheme, we would say the same.

However, the developers are proposing the installation of temporary car parks while a new multi-storey car park is built.

It is a solution that has been proposed elsewhere, in Bicester for example, and it makes a lot of sense.

One of the Oxpens sites already has vehicle parking on it. The grassed area would only be in use as a car park for five months.

We have been waiting for years for a redevelopment of the Westgate. It will cause disruption and it will be unsightly during the construction phase.

However, it is vital to the continued success of Oxford as a commercial centre, and sensible plans to ensure its timely completion should not be summarily dismissed.