A major new shopping and housing development is set to transform the face of an historic town centre.

For years, the approach to Wallingford's picturesque Market Place has been blighted by an unpopular 1960s concrete block.

But later this month the former shop units on St Martin's Street, at the heart of the town's conservation area, will be pulled down.

The plans, which have been backed by Wallingford Town and South Oxfordshire District councillors, are expected to give a new lease of life to the Market Place area - one of the architectural gems of Oxfordshire. The new development will see the construction of five individual shop units and seven housing association flats. It is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Pat Hayward, chairman of Wallingford Business 2000, said: "It will be an asset to the town. It will attract new businesses and bring in shoppers.

The deputy mayor of Wallingford, Betty Atkins, has repeatedly called for more sensitive town planning in Wallingford.

She said: "Whichever way you look at it, the existing building is terrible. It is a monstrosity and it has got to come down." "We cannot live in the past, but any development has got to be in keeping with our heritage."

Story date: Thursday 03 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.