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15 Oct 2012 (archived)

Go-ahead for Carterton superstore

A food store planning application which is being seen as a catalyst for town centre growth in Carterton has been unanimously approved by West Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee.

Councillors felt that the proposed development would help improve the town's retail offer, create new jobs and attract further investment in Carterton town centre.

The application, made on behalf of Morrisons, is to build a 40,000 sq ft superstore, a new 219 space car park and ten dwellings with associated landscaping and access.

The superstore, which is just off the Black Bourton Road, will be on a redundant former market site and the site of a nursing home, which is soon to be re-located to a purpose built facility on Milestone Road.

The opportunity to redevelop Carterton town centre was key to determining the planning application and developer funds were also negotiated by council planners for a number of significant town centre improvements, under a S106 (planning gain) agreement.

Conditions and planning gain for the new superstore development will therefore include the following:

A new Market Square around the Town Hall and re-location of the market to this location.
Attractive pedestrian access from the store to link up with the new market square and other shops and amenities in the town.
Improved vehicular access for delivery vehicles.
Noise control conditions to be in place including limiting deliveries to the store to between 7am and 11pm.
Landscaping and additional tree planting along Black Bourton Road and within the new car park.
New signs and improved lighting.
Public art

Councillors acknowledged that Morrison's had carried out a thorough public consultation with residents as part of their application submission.

Cllr Warwick Robinson, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing said, "Redeveloping the town centre has been the aspiration of both the district and town councils for many years. The improvement package will create a vibrant town centre for Carterton.

"The store will undoubtedly encourage more shoppers to use the town centre as many local residents now travel to do their food shopping. It is important to plan for the future as Carterton is set for further growth over the coming years."

West Oxfordshire District Council's draft local plan for 2011-2029 includes proposals for 1,850 new homes at Carterton.

Morrisons indicated at the meeting that work was expected to start next year with a view to being open by Christmas 2013.

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