FAR-REACHING plans to transform Banbury and the surrounding area over the next 15 years have taken a step closer after councillors agreed to recommend them for approval ahead of a crucial meeting.

At last week's meeting of the executive at Cherwell District Council, councillors were asked to pledge their support for the Banbury Vision and Masterplan.

The amended document outlines future development for the area up to 2031 and includes traffic improvements for the town and nearby roads, and new housing projects.

Speaking at the meeting, Banbury Ruscote councillor and leader of the opposition Sean Woodcock said that the vision masterplan had been a long time coming.

He said: “This is an opportunity to make our town better.

“It is an opportunity to make Banbury a prime place that I know it can be and a great opportunity to make it better.

“We welcome the plan, it is finally here and we welcome the work of officers but it would have been good if it had come a bit earlier.”

Banbury Hardwick councillor John Donaldson agreed that the plan presented good opportunities for the area.

He said: “It is a great piece of work, it strikes the right balance for our town.

“We can now look forward for things to really begin and gel together.”

Before the motion to recommend the plan was agreed, leader of the council Barry Wood said: “I need officers to now think about how you are going to develop the plan.”

The vision document outlines various projects for the area, including retail and cultural activities.

The document reads: “The significant housing growth planned for Banbury will provide the opportunity to develop Banbury into a stronger regional centre with a full range of retail, leisure, cultural, sporting and social activities.

“To deliver this role the strategic roads, public transport network and car parking will need to be improved together with better training and higher education opportunities for local people.

“To facilitate this growth, investment is required in apprenticeships, training and education and the delivery of suitable employment sites.

“A diversifying and thriving town centre and expanding regional influence will also draw a wider range of professional service jobs.”

Among the proposals in the document which was put out for consultation between March and April is traffic improvements at the M40 junction 11.

A spine road is also planned through residential developments from the A361 and A4260 as well as town centre roads.

Housing developments in the surrounding area and an improvement of Banbury’s town centre are also identified in the document including event promotion and the temporary opening up of vacant shops for use.

New public spaces and cultural activities are also planned as part of the vision document.

Councillors will next be asked to formally agree the finished vision document at a Full Council meeting to be held on December 19.