Town councillors want to see a run-down industrial estate on the eastern approach to Didcot redeveloped with new units.

Timber and builders' merchants Travis Perkins has set the trend with a new retail centre at the entrance to Rich's Sidings.

But next-door in lower Broadway, Dare Warwick (Properties) has applied for the change of use of an ageing single-storey building formerly used for car sales, car hire and servicing, so that it can be let as a pet shop.

The firm owns Rich's Sidings, which has been criticised as an eyesore close to the Orchard Centre redevelopment where a Sainsbury's superstore, 30 other shops, a cinema and arts centre are being built in the town centre.

The one-time car showrooms and motor servicing premises have been vacant since a fire which also destroyed neighbouring premises four years ago.

Richard Warwick, of Didcot-based Dare Warwick (Properties), told council planners that they now had prospective tenants who wanted to lease the premises as a pet shop for at least eight years.

John and Denise Ward, who live in Didcot, already have a well-established business, Witney Pet Centre in High Street, Witney.

Mr Warwick said reopening the former showrooms as a pet shop would provide about six jobs and enhance the area.

But Nick Hards, chairman of the town council's planning committee, said he believed that with the opening of the new Travis Perkins unit, there was scope for further new development at Rich's Sidings and it would be inappropriate to grant planning permission for the old car showroom and servicing premises to be used as a pet shop.

"There is scope to put up a much better building -- rather than plonking the odd little retailer there," said Dr Hards.

The town council urged South Oxfordshire District Council to refuse the application for change of use.

But Mr Warwick believed there was no prospect of attracting a business willing to take over new premises on the site in the foreseeable future.