A NEW report on the future of Witney's Marriotts Close says the town needs another large supermarket and that the former football ground site is suitable for it.

But the probable effect will be the closure of the town's Somerfield store, and possibly the Co-op.

The report does not assess alternative sites, or indicate whether Witney's road system could cope with extra traffic.

London-based planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners have been paid about £6,000 for the report, which arrived at West Oxfordshire District Council this week (beginning January 20).

A report by the same consultants five years ago came to similar conclusions.

The council's Marriotts Close working party will discuss the issue on Monday (January 27).

The consultants' main finding is that the proposal for a superstore "has the potential to be beneficial to the vitality and viability of the town centre."

Former Witney town mayor and district councillor David Harvey said: "The consultants haven't been asked to find out what the people of Witney want at Marriotts Close.

"Ideas that have gained support include a multiplex cinema, arts centre, shops of some sort and an open space. There is an enormous interest in the future of the site."

The site has been empty for 11 years following the move of the town football club to a new stadium in Downs Road.

The Marriotts Close working party will eventually submit recommendations to the cabinet.

The full council will take the final decision.