Sir – In your article of September 26, you describe the proposed West Way development as “a vision for Botley”.

In the eyes of local residents, it is less of a vision and more of a nightmare. Accommodation which is currently occupied by permanent residents, including many older people, will be swept away to be replaced by a transient population of over 600 students.

This will completely disrupt Botley’s unique sense of community and is contrary to the stated wishes of the overwhelming majority of local residents, as shown by two separate surveys in the last year.

The Vale of White Horse claims that it needs to increase the amount of affordable accommodation for local people but this plan will reduce it. So much of Oxford and its suburbs is already made over exclusively to students that it is already very difficult for non-students to find a suitable home. This whole proposal should be thrown out and replaced by something which we actually want.

This plan is simply being forced upon us so that the developers and the Vale can make a profit. The Vale district council exists to serve their local taxpayers, not outside speculators.

Linda Losito, Botley