RESIDENTS and shoppers have been promised they will be 'amazed' by plans for a shopping, leisure and housing complex on a former football ground and car park in Witney.

Lincoln-based Simons Developments submitted a planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council last week to demolish the town centre's Welch Way car park and completely redevelop it along with the Marriotts Close site, the former home of Witney Town FC.

The planning application has now been made available publicly and shows proposals for a new pedestrian shopping street with a public space, new park and five-screen cinema.

Along either side of the street would be 16 retail units, three classified as 'major' and the rest smaller, two restaurant/bars and a coffee shop.

Plans include building 65 apartments above the shops, in addition to 70 apartments fronting Welch Way and Woodford Way, and 50 flats, bungalows and houses on the former neighbouring Oxfordshire County Council Highways Depot site.

There would also be a ten-storey car park with spaces for 656 vehicles to replace the existing 375-space car park.

Concerns have been raised about the inclusion of a multi-storey car park and the need for a pocket of green space to be kept on the nine-acre land.

David Harvey, chairman of the district council's Marriotts Close Working Party, encouraged people to look at the plans and said those who had fears may be pleasantly surprised.

Mr Harvey said great care had been taken to produce ideas that reflected the traditional atmosphere and appearance of Witney.

He said: "We have been back to Simons time and time again to make sure that everything is right. We have got to get this right first time around. Quite honestly, I think the plans will blow people's minds."

Mr Harvey was unable to give any clue as to what shops may come to the development, but one of the stores would be set aside as a convenience shop and the largest unit was likely to attract a major national retailer.

He said: "There are plenty of retailers wanting to come to Witney, but there is just not the right sized premises.

"This development will change that."

Public consultation runs until July 19, but the district council said comments would be accepted after that date.

Luke Pickering, director of Simons Developments, appealed for people to get involved with the "exciting" development.

A public exhibition running until tomorrow has opened at the High Street Methodist Church, Witney. There are displays and the chance to speak to the development team.

The exhibition will open from 11am to 7pm today, and 9am to 5pm tomorrow.