Introduction
DPP are preparing a planning application on behalf of Grundon Waste Management Limited for the redevelopment of their existing Depot facility at Merton Street, Banbury.
As part of the planning application preparation, Grundon is undertaking a public consultation with local residents to allow the local community to engage with the vision for the site and to provide valuable feedback on the proposals.
The site
This application relates to the existing Merton Street Depot which is located on the eastern side of the railway; just south of Banbury railway station. It is currently used as a HGV depot and container storage as part of Grundon’s waste operations. The site consists of surfaced and unsurfaced yard areas, open storage and warehouse space, vehicle workshops and office accommodation. Both the yard areas and the buildings are in a poor state of repair and in need of redevelopment to bring the facilitates up to a modern standard.
The site is accessed off Higham Way via Merton Street and is screened by dense vegetation on the north-eastern and south western boundaries.
PLANNING HISTORY
The site has been subject to various planning applications over the past decade, including in 2016 outline planning application for approximately 200 dwellings. In 2024, an application for a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use or Development (ref: 24/02103/CLUP) was submitted and approved for the extensions of workshops 1 and 2 by 136.5 sqm and 784.5 sqm respectively. However, given the condition of the existing building it is now proposed to replace them with modern high quality purpose built structures.
development plan history
The land was historically used as a railway sidings and gas works and became a waste transfer station in 1995, with the waste use ending in March 2007. Since then, the site has operated as a depot with workshops, storage and associated office and welfare space. This use has continued without interruption to date; a period of 18 years.
The site is currently allocated for residential development under Policy ‘Banbury 19’ of the Cherwell Local Plan. Following an outline planning application for 200 dwellings submitted in 2016 and withdrawn December 2023, the Council has accepted that residential development is not achievable here due to noise, odour, drainage, and amenity constraints.
The Council’s emerging local plan proposes removing the residential allocation and reallocating the site for employment use, which was confirmed in pre-application response 23/03012/PREAPP.
PROPOSAL
The proposal involves the comprehensive redevelopment of an existing established industrial site to create a modern, multi-functional facility. The comprehensive redevelopment will feature a full site transformation.
Central to the scheme is a new workshop and office (1,543 sqm GIA) for Grundon’s operational requirements. The redevelopment will use the site more efficiently and will also comprise a series of new industrial units (Units 1A–2C) ranging in size from 169 sqm to 269 sqm. The proposal also incorporates the provision of car parking spaces for staff and visitors, including electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities for both cars and HGVs’.
Infrastructure works will include a new substation, external wash bay, and secure fenced storage areas, while existing features such as the brick pump house and red brick boundary wall are retained and refurbished. Pedestrian and cycle facilities are included, along with a landscaped canteen area. The site will be enclosed with a combination of palisade and chain-link fencing, with new landscaping proposed to soften boundaries and improve visual amenity.
The full suite of plans can be found on this consultation website.
Providing your Feedback
We would like to hear your views on the proposed development before a planning application is submitted. Please leave your comments via the email address listed further below, or post your comments to DPP, One Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5HN. Please send your comments to us by the 14th October 2025.
Once the application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council, there will be a further opportunity to comment on the proposals.
LEAVE YOUR ONLINE FEEDBACK
To leave your comments on the proposed development please email consultation@dppukltd.com
Please be aware that comments left on any public consultation exercise, either by email or any other means, are subject to the terms of our Privacy Policy. Please read this policy carefully as by submitting the information you are consenting to our use of your personal data in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Your personal data will be retained on our secure database and will not be passed to our clients.
We may also like to contact you to keep you informed about future developments relating to this consultation. You will be able to opt-out of these communications at any time.
Downloads
Site Location Plan
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Site Layout Plan
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North Elevations
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South Elevations
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Proposed Industrial Units
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Proposed Workshop/Office Floor Plans
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Proposed Industrial Unit 1 Elevations
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Proposed Industrial Unit 2 Elevations
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