It is democracy

For us, the answer is no, and we do have concerns about some of the language used by the protesters.

We are told that people are "frustrated by the democratic process" and that some protesters were prepared to embrace direct action to "force the company behind the scheme to realise that there is serious and substantial opposition to it".

A meeting to gauge opposition to the Westgate plans attracted only 70 people. That does not count as "serious and substantial opposition". It also suggests that the frustration with the democratic process comes not from the process itself but from unhappiness with the results of it.

The redevelopment of this area of the Westgate has been on the cards for years - decades even.

It has been included in successive local plans. The latest scheme is the third significant attempt to get the idea off the ground.

There has been plenty of opportunity to test the principle of redeveloping the Westgate.

True, there have been concerns, and we have expressed some of them ourselves, particularly about traffic. Others have quite rightly voiced fears about the impact of the redevelopment on other parts of the shopping centre and on surrounding residential areas.

We have, however, never detected a groundswell of opinion against the Westgate scheme. Indeed, we believe most people will warmly welcome the redevelopment.

They will particularly welcome the arrival of a popular John Lewis department store that will encourage local people to travel fewer miles in search of the best shopping experience and that has a reputation as an enlightened employer.

We respect the right of those against the Westgate redevelopment to protest, make their points and to try to persuade us of the merits of their arguments. They cannot, however, wrap up their attempts to frustrate the wishes of the majority as any part of the democratic process.