THE owners of Witney's main shopping centre are planning a revamp to increase the number of stores.

A substantial two-storey extension is to be built after partially demolishing the Cargo shop in the Woolgate Centre.

French Square, outside the Waitrose supermarket, is also to be realigned under plans submitted by owners the Universities Superannuation Scheme, and approved by West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planning sub-committee.

However, the clock tower, imitating the town's landmark Buttercross, is to be retained.

The changes will result in two new shops, while the facilities for cyclists in the town are to be enhanced by doubling the number of racks from 36 to 72.

The scheme has been amended since first drawn up in September last year, and was re-submitted in the wake of detailed development plans for a new shopping centre in the town, at Marriotts Close, due to open in spring 2009.

One local resident, David Bond, of Oxlease, has however questioned whether the town needs more shops, arguing for a freeze until Marriotts Close is built.

He added: "The Cogges Link or West Link roads should be built before more development is allowed."

District council planning officer, Phil Shaw, has also pointed out that the phasing of development could be 'critical'.

He added: "Potentially the town could be faced with the redevelopment of Marriotts Close, this application, and the redevelopment of the College all at the same time, along with further pressure on parking.

"This could have an adverse effect on the trading environment of the town, and is not a matter that officers would wish to encourage."

Instead of increasing the amount of parking in line with extra shops at the Woolgate, the changes will amount to a small loss of spaces in the surrounding public car park.

Mr Shaw says the owners will have to pay a contribution towards a revised car parking strategy for the town.

Source: WItney Gazette