A prominent 1.2-acre gateway site in Banbury town centre has been acquired by Churchill Retirement Living for a scheme of 78 retirement living apartments.
Churchill won consent for the scheme on appeal. It means the redevelopment of the former Gala Bingo Club and surrounding buildings and work has already begun.
The site, fronting Castle Street, Bolton Road and North Bar was sold by owners advised by White Commercial Surveyors in December 2022.
Chris White, managing director of White Commercial said: “This is excellent news for the site and a further quality development by Churchill which will assist in improving the residential offering within Banbury town centre.
“Changes are needed in Cherwell’s current planning policies for both retailing and residential town centre development.
“White Commercial are fully supportive of the recent Cherwell Retail Study 2021, which is to influence planning for the new Cherwell Local Plan, based upon realistic and up-to-date information on the state of the retail market in Banbury and recognises the challenges for retail, the survival and success of town centres and current Government policy to encourage investment into the town centre, consolidation of the retail offer and the opportunity to encourage the use of underutilised retail accommodation within the retail core.”
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