Small traders are dreading the prospect of a huge redevelopment project featuring a superstore and 28 new shops.

David Hawkins, president of Didcot Chamber of Commerce, runs Clothes for Children and a shoe store in Broadway. He said: "The planners need to do more to tie in the new development with the existing town centre shops."

Mr Hawkins was commenting on plans for a £30m redevelopment north of Broadway including a pedestrianised shopping precinct and public amenities such as a new library and an amphitheatre.

The proposed Orchard Centre, which is intended to provide a new heart for the town centre, was unveiled by South Oxfordshire District Council and Taylor Woodrow Property Company. Building is expected to start next year, with completion during 2002.

Mr Hawkins said he welcomed the proposals which would offer significant improvements to Didcot - although existing shopkeepers had "grave concerns" over the way the new development would be linked to the existing shops in Broadway which may become isolated.

Mike Butt, deputy chief executive of the district council, said: "We have worked closely with Taylor Woodrow over the last 12 months to create a new town centre scheme that we believe the people of Didcot will be proud of."

Mr Butt estimated that 2,500 people had visited the exhibition and, because of the considerable public interest, a scale model and plans will also go on view in the foyer of Didcot Civic Hall.

Story date: Monday 11 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.