Plans have been resubmitted for the redevelopment of a block of shops in Bicester town centre.

There have already been plans approved for the redevelopment on 83 and 85 Sheep Street but developers have now resubmitted an application with altered plans.

The already approved plans were to keep retail units on the ground floor with nine apartments over the three floors.

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There was also approval granted for a side development at 81 Sheep Street.

A new submission seeks to gain further three-year consent for a “slightly differing design scheme” that has been amended to “suit the existing economic climate”.

The plans show that retail outlets would now be three individual units, as there is “no longer a need” to expand the existing cycle shop outlet.

The application says that given the amount of empty retail outlets in the town, three smaller units are “preferable”.

The three retail outlets on the ground floor would each have cloaks, store and access to the rear communal yard.

The site which is over three floors would provide nine residential apartments, three on each floor, all two beds with slightly different floor areas.

The apartments would now be smaller but similar in size, being either for three or four people.

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Planning documents read: “These proposals are part of the overall development of this section of the town centre, which involves the new adjacent community building, Travellodge and its access and courtyard, and the recently completed Wesley Lane development.

“As part of the overall development of this section of the town centre, there was a land transfer between the applicant and Cherwell Distinct Council, to enable the new community building to be built out.

“These exchanges have allowed for this parcel of land and that also adjacent to the side of number 81 Sheep Street to be in the applicant's ownership.

“Part of the negotiations on this land transfer was the acceptance of development in the manner previously approved and now submitted.”

This comes as plans to revitalise Bicester Market Square move forward the search for town centre regeneration consultants begins.

Cherwell District Council is expected to announce the appointments in the coming months.

The consultants will work with the council to shape plans for a “forward-thinking and thriving” town centre.

They will study the town centre, looking at parking, traffic flows and pedestrian-friendly elements over several months

To support this work, they said they will engage with the local community, residents and businesses to develop ambitious proposals.

A formal consultation will help finalise designs later this year following the initial research.