17/00476/FUL

| 278-280 Banbury Road Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 7ED

15 May 2017

Demolition of existing building. Erection of two storey building to provide 4no. retail units (Use Class A1). Provision of car parking and bin and cycle stores.(Amended plans).

The proposal, on the same footprint, of the same size  and two storey height as the existing building, would result in two larger retail units being replaced by four smaller units. They would fit comfortably in the street scene and would be suitable for smaller, independent retail shops. However, no reference is made to the relationship between the new retail units and the retained warehouse at the back. It is not explained if or how the warehouse is accessed from the shops.

The Civic Society endorses the comments made by the County Council on the conditions to be imposed on the car and cycle parking arrangements. We particularly endorse the need for visitor cycle parking.

Regarding the appearance, the design shows no relevance to the delightful former Twinings shop (not an ecclesiastical building as suggested) next door to the north, nor to the taller four storey block to the south.

The Civic Society believes that this is a missed opportunity. The existing shops could be replaced with a taller mixed retail and residential development with much needed flats over the two storey retail units