AN auto parts store in Wantage could be turned into a brand-new veterinary surgery after plans to turn it into a takeaway were rejected.

Larkmead Veterinary Group has applied to turn Wantage Motorist Centre in Hans Avenue into a surgery.

The Oxfordshire veterinary service has applied to Vale of White Horse District Council, the planning authority, to change the use of the site from a shop and dwelling to a veterinary surgery.

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It has also applied to partially demolish some existing attached garages, make internal alterations, and add new signage.

The owners of Wantage Motorist Centre, which have traded on the site for more than 50 years, are retiring and the shop will be moving to a new location.

An application was made in May last year to try and turn the auto parts store in a new takeaway but neighbours shunned the plans with ‘grave concerns’ for noise and traffic.

The planning authority subsequently rejected the proposals due to the potential for ‘noise, anti-social behaviour and traffic late into the evenings.

Councillor Andy Crawford, who brought the takeaway application to the planning committee last year, told the veterinary surgery that it was ‘likely that the local residents would find a veterinary practice a much more suitable use of the site’.

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The planning authority is due to make a decision by Wednesday, February 1.

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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @geeharland