Marriotts Close decision next week? (From Witney Gazette)

Marriotts Close decision next week?

2:39pm Tuesday 12th December 2006 in Witney

A FINAL decision on the planning application for a cinema, multi-storey car park, shops, and houses at the Marriotts Close site, Witney, could be taken next week.

West Oxfordshire district councillors on the development control committee could give the controversial proposals the go-ahead, when they meet on Tuesday. Many in the town have objected to the plans, believing the scheme to be an overdevelopment of the site, and not to include enough open green space.

Campaign group Action to Improve Marriotts Close (AIM) have sent their objections to councillors before the meeting.

Simons Developments, which has made the proposals, has just made an agreement with Cine-Uk to run a five-screen cinema, subject to planning permission.

It has also been in advanced negotiations with retailers for 60 per cent of the shopping space.

Jeremy Fieldsend, spokesman for Simons Developments, said: "That Cine-Uk, the second largest multiplex chain in the land, has agreed before we even have planning permission is a huge indication of how keen it is to come to Witney.

"They make an effort to tailor films they show to local requirements, which means they don't just show the blockbusters. but they do show independent and art house films as well.

"We are very excited, it's a big plus, and very encouraging news."