THE developer behind Bicester Retail Park plans has lodged an appeal against it being rejected after an outcry from town residents.

Last month Cherwell District councillors refused outline planning permission to Consolidated Property for six new shops at the Kingsmere estate, off the A41.

Retailers including Marks & Spencer, Next, TK Maxx and restaurant chain Frankie and Benny’s had signed up for the retail park. A planning inquiry will now take place, but a date has yet to be set.

While the scheme was welcomed by many residents, objections came from Bicester Village, Sainsbury’s, Bicester Vision and the town council over concerns about increased traffic, car parking and the impact on town centre retailers.

Consolidated Property’s group managing director Martin Ridgway has come out to directly criticise both the district council and Bicester Village, and he claims the scheme was “misrepresented to members”.

A “disgruntled resident” launched a petition calling on the district council to “listen to Bicester’s majority and bring high street retailers to the town” and has attracted almost 1,800 signatures.

In a post on the petition Mr Ridgway revealed “dissatisfied” residents contacted him after the retail park plan was refused, a move he described as both “unusual and encouraging”.

He said: “Cherwell District Council officers have been obstructive from the outset and misrepresented the scheme to members.

“We believe that the reasons for refusal are very weak and officers will now have to defend their decision before an independent inspector.

“ I was interested to hear the Bicester Village representative speaking against the scheme on traffic grounds – a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

“Unfortunately officers never seemed to understand the scheme or its innovative design.

“From what I can gather they seem more comfortable approving domestic dwellings or large distribution sheds.”

He said his firm was reviewing parking plans at the site.

Kingsmere Residents Association co-chairman Graham Brogden was “delighted” about the appeal. He said the association fully supported “the arrival of more mainstream retailers such as M&S and Next”.

Cherwell said plans were rejected over fears it would harm the town centre, create traffic chaos and cause congestion.

Councillor Michael Gibbard, lead member for planning, said the development would have attracted thousands of shoppers but the application did not “adequately” address traffic issues or offer a solution to future congestion.

He said: “Furthermore, although Cherwell welcomes the addition of retail brands and new stores to Bicester, we need to ensure they are introduced in the right place to protect and promote the town centre and existing units.”

Bicester Village declined to comment.