TOWN councillors have criticised the design of a proposed £6million shopping and residential development, labelling the buildings as "ugly".

Plans have been submitted to build four shops - including a Marks and Spencer Foodhall - and four residential flats on the derelict Parker Knoll factory site in Chipping Norton.

The buildings would develop the northern half of the London Road site, bringing more than 50 new jobs to the Cotswold town.

The developer, Simons Group, said it had received "overwhelming backing" from residents, citing a public consultation which revealed 81 per cent of people were in favour of the plans.

Chippy Mayor Councillor Mike Tysoe said while he "didn't have a problem" with the M&S, he would welcome a more imaginatively designed development.

"Let's have some imagination put into it," he said. "I just want something that looks like a building, rather than a couple of boxes - that is all we want."

In its consultee comments, Chipping Norton Town Council raised a number of concerns, including a suggestion that the design "could have been more sympathetic with the surrounding area and not necessarily modern ugly."

It also suggested that the buildings could be re-positioned into the middle of the site, and away from the nearby Holy Trinity Catholic School, and that Oxfordshire County Council should consider the impact of increased traffic using the A44.

Graeme Cosgrove, group director of development at Simons Group, said: "Prior to submitting a planning application, we undertook a thorough programme of consultation, which included meeting with Chipping Norton Town Council and speaking directly to the site’s closest neighbours, including Holy Trinity Catholic School.

"We did this to ensure the plans were right for the town before they were submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council.

"In addition, we have written to around 3,250 people across Chipping Norton and, with 81 per cent of respondents backing our plans, we are convinced that our proposals will provide a real boost to the local area.

"Throughout the consultation, hundreds of people wrote to us to tell us how excited they were at the prospect of a new Marks and Spencer Foodhall and we are delighted to be one step closer to coming to Chipping Norton."

It is not yet known which businesses will occupy the additional three shop spaces.

The plans are under consultation by West Oxfordshire District Council and can be viewed online at westoxon.gov.uk, under reference number 16/04244/FUL.

Another application has also been submitted for the site, which could see assisted living and retirement living accommodation built by McCarthy and Stone, and YourLife Management Services.

This proposal is also under consideration and can be found by searching on the WODC website, using reference 16/04230/FUL.