CHANGES made to a proposal for dozens of new flats in Kidlington High Street have been described as "mere tokenism."

Developers Cantay Estates Ltd submitted an application in October to convert part of the village's large Co-op, on Sterling Road Approach, into 54 new flats to help provide more housing.

Following criticisms from residents that the proposed development would be out of character for the village and reduce potential retail space, Cantay has now offered to reduce the number of flats and make changes to the size of the structure.

But campaigners have said they will continue to object to the proposal unless "significant" changes are made.

In a letter to Cherwell District Council, Kidlington Development Watch member Alan Lodwick, of Church Street, said the proposal would have a "significant adverse effect" on the village's economy.

Mr Lodwick added: "The current application would result in a large and inaccessible private space in the heart of Kidlington and make it less attractive both economically and visually, less accessible and less 'useable'.

"I hope that the district council will work with developers, the landowners and local interests to achieve a much better scheme for the village.

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity which warrants the time and effort."

The proposal is to reduce the size of the High Street Co-op by two-thirds to make way for new flats and 60 parking spaces.

Changes made include reducing the number of flats from 54 to 52, and changing part of the southern side of the building from four to three storey.

There will also be a wider pavement on the Sterling Road Approach side of the building.

Kidlington Parish Council has also objected to the plans, and in a statement said efforts to reduce the height of the building were "mere tokenism".

It also said there was no "precedent" for four-storey buildings in the area, and that materials used should be consistent with other shopping units.

When the application was first submitted developers held a public meeting at Exeter Hall to talk to residents about the plans.

Planning officers from Cherwell District Council presented their own design advice to Cantay Estates in January - before the revised application was submitted.

It said the length of the apartment block, which was just short of 80m, risked overwhelming the character of the route through its scale.

It also recommended that the height of the building was reduced from four to three storey to reflect the height of many of the buildings in the village centre.

Cantay director Tony Nolan said the changes had been made following ongoing discussions with the planning officers.

He dismissed the criticisms about the loss of retail space and said there was "not much of a market for retail space" at the moment in the village centre.

Mr Nolan added he expected the application to be considered by Cherwell's planning committee at their meeting in June.