An appeal has been lodged for the second time by developers after a planning application to convert a town's old magistrates' court into flats was rejected.

Developers have lodged an appeal against the Cherwell District Council (CDC) planning committee decision to reject the newly revised planning application to demolish the former Bicester Magistrates’ Court and build 32 flats.

This follows on from a previous application by the developer to convert the building into 48 flats.

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

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The 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.

District councillor for Bicester West, Les Sibley, believes the building should be retained and reused for the local community and is urging residents to comment before the deadline next week.

Councillor Les Sibley outside the Magistrates' Court (Image: Unknown) He says there is 'considerable support' from Bicester residents for retaining the Waverley House Building for community uses.

"I would like to emphasise that a better and preferred alternative use for the existing building would be for any number of much needed local community uses, such as a GP surgery, a theatre, arts centre, a church, a community centre, a museum or as a new Town Council building," he said. 

"Beautiful is not a word that I and many Bicester residents would use to describe the design, height and visual impact that this development will have on the street scene.

"This building will stick out like a sore thumb."

A spokesperson for RCA Regeneration, acting on behalf of the developer, said: “We acknowledge the suggested alternative uses.

"However, the building has been vacant for many years and was not acquired for any alternatives before the applicant purchased the site from Homes England.

"Our proposal to deliver 32 highly sustainable apartments addresses the urgent need for new housing, a key priority in local and national planning policy.

"Whilst it does not provide affordable housing, it will include a viability review mechanism to capture this should the position change in future.

"The development also includes contributions towards local cycle path improvements and economic investment into the area, with job creation during construction."

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Any comments residents may have regarding Waverley House (Bicester Magistrates Court) should be emailed by Monday, October 28 to the Planning Inspector at: west1@planninginspectorate.gov.uk 

Residents should quote appeal number APP/C3105/W/24/3351778 when emailing. 

Any comments that may have been made following the original application for planning permission will be forwarded and taken into account by the Inspector in deciding the appeal.

A hearing for the appeal will take place on Wednesday, December 11 and the decision is expected to be issued on or before February 27, 2025.