Marriotts Close plans revised (From Witney Gazette)

Marriotts Close plans revised

9:00am Wednesday 22nd November 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

MORE houses and retail floor space in a 'less block-like' building has been proposed by developers of the Marriotts Close redevelopment.

Simons Developments have submitted newly-revised plans, after listening to the concerns of councillors and people of West Oxfordshire.

Under the new scheme, they propose three extra dwellings, increasing the number of houses to 188, and to increase gross retail floor space from 9,474 to 10,021 square metres.

Fifteen properties would be affordable homes, and the height of some residential blocks fronting Welch Way and Woodford Way will be reduced.

The design and configuration of retail units in the new pedestrian street and around the public square has been changed.

The developers also hope to provide environmental measures, such as a wind turbine and rainwater harvesting.

During construction, the company has applied for permission for a temporary car park, toilets, and recycling facilities at the site.

Jeremy Fieldsend, a spokesman for Simons Developments, said: "The main point people made was that the building wasn't in keeping with the rest of the streetscape, so we are proposing to make the units of various heights, so they look more individual than one solid block.

"The new street will go from looking quite traditional to more contemporary, as you go towards the cinema. We have taken away the red brick, as people objected to that, and instead we want to use Cotswold stone.

"The changes have enabled us to create more floor space and dwellings.

"There is more demand for floor space than we thought in Witney. Already even at this early stage, we are in advance negotiations with retailers for 60 per cent of the space.

"The more retailers we have, the better effect on the vitality and viability of Witney. It's great news for the town."

At a meeting in September, district councillors had deferred a decision on the Marriotts Close planning application, and had asked Simons Developments to revise its plans because of public concerns.

Council planning officer, Phil Shaw, had expressed fears that the scale of development was too big for the location, and had questioned why there was no provision of affordable housing.

Councillors had said they were worried about the loss of trees, and that public space and a play area were so close to a busy road.

Already some Witney residents who have seen the new plans have objected.

Dr Ed Morris, of Church Green, wrote to the Witney Gazette, and said: "Behind the artist's impressions of pastel facades of ye olde mocke Cotswold buildings you can see the looming concrete and steel bulks of a multi-storey, high-density retail and housing development and little or no green space, despite this being the overwhelming priority expressed in the first consultation."

Brian Matthews, of Gloucester Place, said: "They appear to have addressed some of the issues partly, but not wholly.

"They have seen the need for a temporary car park, but it will only be enough for 200 cars. Where will the other 200 cars go?"

The new proposals are on the district council's website www.westoxon.gov.uk.

Comments should be made by Tuesday, December 5, 2006, in writing, to Planning Services, Elmfield, New Yatt Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 1PB, or online at marriotts@westoxon.gov.uk