A PLANNING application to build a 72-bed Premier Inn on the site of a former care home in Spring Street, Chipping Norton, is to be determined next week with planning officers recommending approval subject to a legal agreement.

The application states it will make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area. It will create at least 15 full-time positions and create secondary economic benefit of an estimated £1.1million and new publicly available car parking n Spring Street.

The applicants are also willing to enter into a 106 agreement to provide footway improvements between the site and the town centre.

There have been 25 representations received which state the development is too large and out of keeping with the area and would impact on residential amenity and the conservation area.

Others stated there was already adequate hotel accommodation in the town and competition may affect their trade. Another objector said Chipping Norton was not a tourist town and unlikely to be a destination for visitors.

The town council felt the design was unsympathetic to area and suggested the scale and height be reduced to improve the visual impact from the west and south. They had also requested a traffic impact analysis on the road network, particularly Spring Street and Horsefair.

The agenda documents state that planning officers at West Oxfordshire District Council's Uplands Area planning sub-committee feel "there is no reason to believe that the use would adversely affect the vitality and viability of Chipping Norton, and in all likelihood it would be beneficial."

Planners also state: "The proposal would remove substantial derelict buildings which are a focus for anti-social behaviour and bring about redevelopment with a much more appropriate building. Whilst the constraints associated with the location in the AONB, Conservation Area, and proximity of other heritage assets are noted, it is considered that the benefits of the scheme would outweigh any harm to these designations."

The application is due to be determined on Monday July 6.