COWLEY residents have until today to give their views on plans for a new Hungry Horse pub, dubbed a “golden egg” for jobs and growth in the area.

Templars Retail Park owner Quadrant Estates wants to change an empty restaurant space at the shopping park, off Between Towns Road, into a pub.

City councillor for Cowley David Henwood has welcomed changes made to the developers’ original proposals, such as reducing opening times and changes to delivery routes.

Mr Henwood said the original planning application was revised after councillors met site developers in February.

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He said: “We are very much relieved that they have reviewed the application. We want to work with the Hungry Horse.

“We think it’s another golden egg for Cowley. We see more investment coming in, more jobs, so we think it’s a golden opportunity.”

Oxford Mail:

City councillor David Henwood is happy with the plans.

The 469 sq m unit, which is one of three restaurant sites in the retail park, has been vacant since September 2013.

It would include 13 car parking spaces and room for 10 bicycles, accessible from Rymers Lane.

Greene King, which owns the Hungry Horse chain, expects to employ between 50 and 60 people.

Mr Henwood said developers had originally hoped to open the pub from 7am until 12.30am seven days a week, but licensing hours have now been revised.

Trading is now proposed from 11am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 11am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

He said residents may have been concerned about all-day drinking, but hoped shortening licensing hours would reassure families that councillors are working to combat antisocial behaviour and reduce pressure on police officers.

He added: “It’s a little victory that we have managed to get.”

Deliveries to the site will be routed along Between Towns Road and Rymers Lane, with a small plot of unused land north of the empty retail unit being used as a car park.

Mr Henwood said this part of the original planning application had also been revised after concerns large trucks could cause traffic problems.

“The gates that we want them to use are further down Rymers Lane, away from the main traffic junction. It would make a lot more sense. The gate is designed for lorries and it’s already in use.”

Hungry Horse business unit director Marc McGuigan said: “Hungry Horse pubs are typically hubs of the local community so it is important to us that they meet the needs of the local area.

“Our licence has been agreed and now along with Quandrant Estates we are working with the council to agree the finer details of the proposal for our family-friendly pub.”

The Nelson pub, opposite the retail park, closed last year after incidents involving violence and drugs.

Public consultation about the pub ends today. Comments about application 11/02032/FUL can be made at public.oxford.gov.uk/online-application