A councillor has said he is looking into securing community asset status for a Magistrates’ Court to prevent it being demolished and replaced by flats.

Housing developer GG Oxford Investments Ltd has submitted its second full planning application this year to demolish Bicester Magistrates’ Court - a locally listed building - and replace it with flats.

Following an application early last month for ‘prior approval for demolition’ of Bicester Magistrates’ Court, which was refused by Cherwell District Council, GG Oxford Investments Ltd has now submitted another application to develop the site on Queen’s Avenue.

READ MORE: Bicester Magistrates' Court may be developed for flats

The proposal seeks to demolish the court, also known as Waverley House, and construct 33 apartments together with landscaping, car parking, bin stores, secure cycle parking and associated infrastructure.

This differs from the developer’s previous full application – which was refused by Cherwell District Council, and the subsequent appeal dismissed by the planning inspector – which involved building 48 apartments.

Les Sibley, Cherwell district councillor for Bicester West, said: “I’m submitting an Asset of Community Value request to the council shortly.

“This would involve the council purchasing the land from the developers – if they are interested – and then putting in a bid to develop something the community needs, such as a GP surgery.

“All the problems we’re having with GP surgeries, why not turn the court into one?

"We could use one. Or a church, or new town council offices, or a combination of things for the community.”

GG Oxford Investments Ltd’s first application was refused because the council deemed the proposed building to be too large for the site, and because of a lack of parking spaces.

A spokesperson for GG Oxford Investments Ltd said: “This application to redevelop the site is intended to address the refusal reasons, that’s why the proposals are for fewer flats.

“We appreciate some people would rather the site became a community hub, but our previous application for apartments also received many comments of support and we have received no credible offer to purchase the site for this use.”

Mr Sibley has said he thinks the developer should leave the Magistrates’ Court for the community and suggested another site for its flats.

He said: “On a normal planning application the applicant has to detail any other sites which may be appropriate for its development.

“I suggest GG Oxford Investments Ltd should build their flats on the south side of the North West Bicester ecotown.

“As part of the blueprint of the ecotown, the masterplan; flats were earmarked to go within the area, and I’m advocating they should go there.

“The type of development this developer is proposing – high rise flats – would be very welcome on the ecotown site.”

 

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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