Plans for service area near M40 junction are unveiled

The plans, by Euro Garages, will cover 12 hectares of land between Junction 11 of the M40 to the west and the A361 to the east.

Office space, storage and distribution facilities are included in the plans alongside a motorway service area, hotel and a pub. It is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs.

A public exhibition was held in Banbury Town Hall yesterday, Wednesday, where more than 3,000 residents were invited to take a look.

The exhibition follows discussions with Cherwell District Council.

The site, known as Banbury 15, is included in Cherwell District Council’s local plan, which earmarks sites in the district as suitable for development until 2031, as available for employment space.

It is positioned opposite Banbury Gateway shopping centre.

Tom Jeremiah, senior planning manager at Euro Garages Ltd, said: “Cherwell District Council has a local plan in place that highlights this site as a prime location for development and employment.

“We want to help deliver the council’s vision by bringing forward a scheme that will support 1,000 new jobs, as well as provide services for the local area.

“Not only will our plans for Banbury 15 deliver real benefit for the local economy through jobs and growth, it will also help attract people to the town by exploiting the fantastic road links via Junction 11.”

The site was sold to Euro Garages via White Commercial.

Managing director Chris White said: “This is an excellent strategic purchase by Euro Garages and will create a valuable addition to the company’s UK operational and property assets.

“White Commercial worked very closely with the landowners and appointed David Lock Associates to assist in the master planning and planning strategy for the site.

“White Commercial are well placed to advise on commercial and development projects along the M40.”

Euro Garages operates forecourts throughout the country and has around 1,450 locations in the UK and Europe including restaurants for Starbucks, Subway and Greggs.

Banbury 15 originally included land on the other side of the A361 in the local plan, but after the plan was examined by the inspector, it was reduced to its current footprint.