A new education centre could be coming to an Oxfordshire town's shopping centre if plans are approved.
Mehdi Mohajeri has applied for a Kumon centre in Banbury's Castle Quay, in a unit which was previously occupied by Thornton's.
The scheme has been recommended for permission and will be decided by Cherwell District Council's planning committee on Thursday, November 7.
No public comments have been submitted in support or objection, but the Banbury Civic Society raised a clarification.
READ MORE: Hans Zimmer and John Williams: Epic night of film music
They said: “Will this be basic life skills ( i.e.. the three Rs plus social skills to provide a greater ability to contribute to the community; preparation 'A' level exams, or religious education)?
“What will be the vehicular and foot traffic implications?
“The society is not adverse to commercial premises being converted to residential use, but are ambivalent about the loss of a shopping unit for non-commercial purposes.”
In the planning officers' report, it said: “The site was last used as a retail unit and has been vacant for a prolonged period of time. The site is within a predominantly commercial area for the shopping centre.
“The proposal is for the unit to operate as a Kumon centre which provides English and Maths tuition for children from as young as two years old up to teenagers. The focus is on key study skills such as independent learning, time management plus building character and resilience.
“The proposal would require the use of the ground floor area only, would serve between 40-50 students per day and would employ between six and eight staff.”
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
About the author
Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government.
He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years.
Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here