LONG-AWAITED plans including three major new shops, ten smaller retail outlets, a cinema and more than 100 apartments are being revealed this week for the Marriotts Close development, in Witney.

A major step forward in the development of the town centre site, in Welch Way, is being taken by Simons Developments with the submission of a planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council.

It will be the first time that plans for the £40m redevelopment are revealed publicly, after years of confidential meetings, held by the council's Marriotts Close working party.

Full details of the application, which arrived at the council offices this week, set out over thousands of pages, were not expected to be made available at the council until later this weekWEDS, JUNE 28, but Simons Developments told the Witney Gazette that plans include . . .

* Three major new shops . . .

* Ten smaller retail units . . .

* Five-screen cinema . . .

* Two restaurants . . .

*A coffee shop and public open space . . .

* More than 100 apartments . . .

* 650 parking spaces.

There were no details of which retailers or cinema operators or restaurateurs that may be vying to operate from Marriotts Close, but the Lincoln-based firm said the development would see a £40m investment in the town and the creation of numerous jobs.

It is holding public exhibitions next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the High Street Methodist Church, Witney, to present the plans in detail, and give residents the chance to question members of its development team.

Simons Developments director, Luke Pickering, said: "It is hoped that such a substantial investment, which would give Witney its own cinema and attract major new retailers, will increase trade generally and benefit Witney as a whole." He said the development would mean the addition of some 'well-known stores currently unavailable in Witney'.

Improvements are also planned for Welch Way, to make it more pedestrian-friendly, extra trees will be planted, and it will be given a 'boulevard atmosphere'.

Mr Pickering added: "The development will be a welcoming and exciting addition to Witney, with high-quality retail and leisure units and modern living accommodation set in sympathetic Witney surroundings."

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