A BUSINESS leader has welcomed a planned redevelopment of Banbury town centre, but sounded a warning over parking proposals.

Council plans for the Bolton Street area would replace the building on the corner of North Bar Street and Castle Street, which includes Gala Bingo, with a major supermarket.

Shops, a hotel and leisure facilities would be provided along with a new multi-storey car park.

But a Cherwell District Council report says the car park needs a minimum 500 spaces to meet current demand and recommends at least 630 for the new plan.

Banbury and District Chamber of Commerce chairman Claire Kingsbury said more must be provided to cater for the development, which could be completed by 2014.

She said: “We can always do with more parking in the town, particularly reasonably priced parking.

“A lot of those new spaces are going to be taken up with people using the supermarket which means, in some way, we would be losing a car park from the town.”

She also said she was unsure about the proposed location for the supermarket given the level of traffic, but added: “Anything that can be done for the town to bring in new businesses and create new jobs is a real positive.

“It is an area that for a while has needed development.”

Norman Bolster, council executive member for economic development and estates, backed “like-for-like” replacement of spaces.

He said: “This is a town centre development, it is not just intended for car users.”

The council owns much of the land and would need to team up with a major developer.

Buildings within the site have “no architectural merit” but care would be taken to preserve surrounding historic and listed buildings, the council report said.

It says: “There is now a need to improve the quality and range of the retail offer in order to ensure that Banbury retains and enhances its status as a major regional town centre.”

Larger retailers are “under-represented” with a lack of a “major” town centre supermarket and “higher end fashion” stores. More cafes, bars and restaurants are needed, it says.

A “small number” of homes could be provided, it adds.

Footways will connect to North Bar Street and Castle Street with vehicles given access via Castle Street only.

Older people’s charity WRVS would be given a new home. Manager Liz Reed said: “I think it is very exciting, the area could do with some regeneration.”

A new home for Gala Bingo could be provided, the council report says.

The firm had not commented at the time the Oxford Mail went to press.

The proposals will be considered by the council’s executive on Monday at 6.30pm at the council’s offices in Bodicote House.

A six-week consultation would then be held. For more information, please visit http://tinyurl.com/3jrtbug Roadchiefs are to look at whether a major traffic hotspot in Banbury town centre should get a roundabout.

Oxfordshire County Council is looking at replacing the four way lights system at the junction of Bridge Street and Cherwell Street.

A traffic officer’s report said this had the “aims to improve traffic flow and pedestrian crossing facilities”.

Assessments will be completed by April.