SHOPPERS in Witney could soon be browsing around two floors of new shops if planners approve a proposal to expand the town's Woolgate Centre.

But developers behind the controversial Marriotts Close redevelopment nearby have been told to go back to the drawing board until public concerns are addressed.

West Oxfordshire district councillors will ask Lincoln-based Simons Developments to revise its Marriotts Close proposals - for 13 shops, 185 homes, a cinema, five-storey car park and public open space off Welch Way - before it makes a decision on the outline planning application.

Meanwhile, Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which owns the Woolgate complex, has submitted a planning application to the district council for a two-storey extension.

It wants to demolish part of the centre, which houses interiors store Cargo, to make way for a new building for the extra shops.

Part of the car park will also be taken up with the development.

The announcement follows a council meeting last Thursday about the controversial Marriotts Close development.

Councillors deferred a decision on the application, and told Lincoln- based developers Simons Developments to revise its plans to address public concerns.

During the meeting, WODC's planning officer, Phil Shaw, also outlined the results of a public consultation, which disclosed fears about the scale of the development, the loss of trees, parking problems, increased risk of traffic, and vandalism.

He recommended councillors ask developers to amend several aspects of the application before they make their final decision.

Mr Shaw said: "Our concern is the scale of the building is excessively large for the location. It needs to be looked at in detail to get a better balance. There needs to be more information provided about why the developers cannot provide affordable housing."

He added that more detail about how nearby Dark Lane could be used as a temporary car park while the site was developed was needed.

More details on the multi-storey car park, including what proportion would be long or short stay, were paramount before councillors approved the application, he added.

Mr Shaw said: "The interior needs to be carefully considered. We want it to be an attractive place, rather than somewhere that is damp and dingy. We need a clear idea about what we feel about the scheme, which the council can take forward in negotiations with the developers."

His recommendations were echoed by councillors, who were keen to see the plans revised to address public concern.

Stuart Brooks, Liberal Democrat leader, said: "The massing of the development concerns me a lot. It seems very tall for the whole context of the site."

District councillor Brenda Smith voiced concerns about the loss of trees, and Witney Central councillor, Harriet Ryley, questioned the possible risks to children by positioning a public space and play area near to a busy road.

Jeremy Fieldsend, spokesman for Simons Developments, said: "The objective of the consultation is to get people's reactions to the scheme in general and in specific detail.

Mr Fieldsend said: "We are more than happy to look at comments and suggestions made, and we will incorporate those into the scheme wherever possible."

Neil Hardiman, USS's development manager, said the proposed scheme at the Woolgate would be good for shoppers and existing retailers.

He said: "Several well known stores have expressed a keen interest in our proposals, and there is strong demand from new retailers to come to Witney, especially in the fashion sector."

The two-storey extension of six shops has been specifically designed to complement the high quality of its surroundings, and the Cotswold-style of existing buildings, he added.

It is not known when the application will be discussed by district councillors.

Mr Shaw said: "It is too early to say, as we were not warned as to its arrival, and have yet to look at it."

The idea has been welcomed by traders in the Woolgate Centre, who say it will help boost the economy and keep shoppers in the town.

Gary Smith, owner of Rapture music shop, said: "The Woolgate Centre needs to bring itself into the 21st-century, otherwise it will be overshadowed by the Marriotts Close development."

Waitrose store manager, Gill Armstrong, also backed the proposals.

She said: "From our point of view, anything that makes Witney a better place to shop with more variety is good."

Witney is fast expanding, with a host of new shops coming to the town.

The new-look Sainsbury's reopened its doors to customers on September 7, after almost doubling in size, and the Marriotts Close scheme promises to feature 13 extra shops.