PLANS for a massive retail park off the M40 at Banbury should be refused, a council report has recommended.

The plan for the Wildmere Industrial Estate, off junction 11, would damage the town centre, a Cherwell District Council planning officer said.

Jane Dunkin’s report recommends councillors throw out the ‘Banbury Gateway’ plan, to include a Marks & Spencer and Next, on Thursday.

It would go on the Acorn Way site of motorsport firm Prodrive, which has council permission to move to the nearby former Hella lighting factory.

The firm, which employs 450 people, has said it could leave the town if the plans are not approved.

Ms Dunkins said the retail park plan would discourage visits to the town centre having a “significant impact” on its vitality and viability.

And she said the 10 retail and three restaurant and cafe units would “fail to achieve any transition between the open countryside and open area”.

Malcolm Douglas, of the town centre Banbury Cross Traders group, said: “I am overjoyed. It is a huge, huge relief.

“It would have killed the town.”

But Prodrive chairman David Richards said: “Members of the planning committee will consider the very positive impact our plans will have on the local economy when they make their decision.”

It would be an “important gateway attracting additional people to the town centre”, he said.

About 340 jobs would be created, and Prodrive said it would only move if it gets the go-ahead for the retail park.

The council’s committee will meet at 2pm at Bodicote House, Bodicote.

The public can attend.