A WELL-known Witney garage owner has found a new home in the nick of time, as controversial plans to knock down his business were approved.

Station Lane’s Mick Partlett Car Sales has won planning permission for a new site at Two Rivers Industrial Estate, about 100 metres away.

It came on the same day that councillors agreed to allow the Station Lane garage and neighbouring Adenbourne Fieldsports, opposite Sainsbury’s, to be demolished for a 3,000sq ft retail unit.

This will now be marketed as a DIY or homeware store.

Mr Partlett said: “I’m relieved that we’ve got planning permission to move down there, but I’m very disappointed that they have got planning permission here.

“This is one of the best sites in Oxfordshire, and it’s a far better position than what it is around there.”

He said: “This is the problem when you rent something, you’ve got no control.

“But it’s not the end of the world and I’m chuffed to death that we’ve got planning permission to move.”

He bought the industrial estate in September and the new site will take about 50 cars compared to 90 at its current site.

Witney Town Council objected to the Station Lane plan, approved by West Oxfordshire District Council on Monday.

Councillor Brenda Churchill said: “The town council has great concerns about traffic problems on Station Lane, which this application will make worse.

“It’s almost impossible to cross the junction from the Leys to Station Lane. A DIY store is going to make it a nightmare.”

Cameron Lee, manager of Witney’s Focus DIY store, said: “We don’t believe there is a need or demand for a second DIY store in the town.

“If the application is approved, it could force us to close.”

But Oxfordshire County Council, responsible for roads, said it would have an “insignificant effect on traffic flows”.

Nicky Brock, of applicants Leda, said: “Despite the Focus store, there is a large amount of leakage for DIY stores.

“Government policy supports development which promote consumer choice.”

Ms Brock said that customers would often travel from Witney to Abingdon or Swindon to visit larger DIY stores and concerns it would set a precedent for out-of-town stores were not valid.

A planning officer recommended the council’s lowland area planning subcommittee approve the plan.

Councillor Richard Langridge said: “I think it will be hopefully very good for Witney’s economy and it will improve the area.”

Adenbourne Fieldsports declined to comment.