A COUNCIL has set aside £5m to build a civic building, new library and potential hotel for Bicester.

Cherwell District Council’s executive agreed to earmark the cash for phase two of the town centre redevelopment, which will see the new facilities built over Franklins Yard car park.

Last month, the Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities Eric Pickles effectively paved the way for the £70m town centre redevelopment after he authorised a compulsory purchase order for parts of the site.

Work on the Sainsbury’s supermarket, cinema and shops is due to start in early next year and is expected to be complete by summer 2013.

Now the council has set the ball rolling for phase two, the civic building, which would be home to the relocated library, Cherwell’s Market Square offices and possibly Bicester Town Council’s offices and exhibition space.

At the executive meeting on Monday, councillors were told a national hotel chain was interested in moving into the remainder of the site.

Cherwell’s lead member for estates Norman Bolster said the move was good news for Bicester.

He said: “What we really want to do is be in a position to start laying the bricks as soon as Sainsbury’s get themselves off site, which is looking at summer 2013.

“There is potential there for a building at least three or four times size we need for a library and our offices.”

He said the council has had talks with police and other public bodies who may be interested in sharing the building.

Deddington based Stockdale Land was approved as the development manager at the meeting – the firm is managing phase one of the redevelopment on behalf of Sainsbury’s.

Bicester West councillor Mr Bolster said: “Stockdale has been approached by hotel chain to occupy the majority of the excess space available that – if that comes off – would give the council a six and a half to seven per cent return on a capital investment of £5m.”

Leader of the opposition, Les Sibley, said it was a good opportunity.

But trader Steven Newland, who runs Newlands Tearooms and Gift Shop, in nearby Sheep Street, said: “The £5m would be better spent supporting local business and providing local amenities, or give us free parking.”

lA planning bid for another hotel on the Kingsmere site is expected soon.