A developer who applied to convert a magistrates’ court into flats which was denied, has now applied for permission to demolish the court building. 

The new application comes ahead of a further application for a smaller development.

GG Oxford Investments Limited submitted an application to Cherwell District Council on August 9 for “prior approval of demolition as part of redevelopment works at the site.”

This follows on from a previous application by the developer to convert the Magistrates’ Court, known as Waverley House, into 48 flats.

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The previous application was refused by the council, and the developer also lost its subsequent appeal.

A spokesperson for RCA Regeneration Limited, a consultant working on behalf of GG Oxford Investments Limited, said: “This building has been vacant for several years, and it was sold to our clients by Homes England with the intention of delivering new housing.

“The government’s agenda is to deliver one million new homes and is very much about delivering brownfield sites first before using greenfield land.

“It remains our client’s intention to redevelop this brownfield site to provide much needed homes.

"Following the disappointing refusal of the previous application and subsequent appeal, we will be submitting a revised application, for a smaller apartment development.

“The former court building is not listed or protected, so its demolition does not require planning permission, hence the prior approval submission, which forms part of the redevelopment strategy.

“We look forward to submitting a revised proposal for the redevelopment very soon.”

Councillor Les Sibley said: “To say that the Magistrates’ Court doesn’t have a listing is absolutely wrong.

“It does have a local protection on it. It’s a locally listed building, signed off by Cherwell District Council itself.

“It’s not quite the same as a listed building but it carries a significant importance.

"The developer seemed to think if its previous application for 48 flats succeeded, it gave them the right to demolish the building, but planning permission hasn’t been given.”

Mr Sibley raised a number of concerns at GG Oxford Investments Limited’s appeal hearing for its previous application to convert the court into 48 flats.

The reservations included issues around car parking. Mr Sibley said the site had a severe lack of parking spaces for a 48-unit development.

He also raised concerns around the development being built on land at risk of flooding, there being no space for waste from the flats and the fact that the building is an important heritage asset with a lot of history attached to it.

Mr Sibley added: “I still say we need Waverley House for the local community. We can keep it as a multi-use venue for the people of Bicester while maintaining its heritage.

"If anybody is concerned about the demolition of this important building, and would rather see it made into a community venue, please contact the council."

A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said: "The landowner is now seeking to demolish Waverley House under the prior approval process, and has recently submitted an application to establish if prior approval is required for the demolition of Waverley House, Bicester. 

"This will be considered by the council in due course."

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1