AN ALTERATION to plans for a £60m transformation of a Cowley shopping centre has been welcomed by local residents but concerns remain on the major transformation project.

Developers NewRiver submitted an application for the revamp of the Templar's Square Shopping Centre to include more than 200 new homes, shops, a hotel and two new restaurants as well as the demolition of Castle Car Park, in November.

Oxfordshire County Council gave the thumbs down to the project citing traffic reasons in an objection in February, forcing the development team to amend some of its plans to include a new cycle lane at Between Towns Lane.

Speaking of the change, development manager at the firm Jamie Whitfield said: "We listened to local communities and the city and county council via a series of public exhibitions and residents’ meetings, and have made a number of small revisions in response to that feedback.

“We are excited about our plans to transform the centre of Cowley, and we know from public feedback that there is a high level of support for the proposals.

He added: "This investment will create new jobs, provide family-focused restaurants, upgrade car parking facilities and provide much needed housing. We will continue to work with the local community, city and county councils as we move towards determination.”

Shoppers at the centre on Saturday afternoon, meanwhile, said although they were pleased developers were listening to concerns there were still concerns surrounding the project.

One Between Towns Road resident, Angela Vickers, said: "I think it's good they are listening but there will be far too many cars when it comes here.

"This is already so busy, and the roads nearby are always so clogged in the mornings, I don't see how this centre, if it brings more people, will help that."

Another nearby resident who lives at Barns Road, and shops at the centre regularly, said that a renewed commitment to a controlled parking zone for the area, contained in the amended plans, was a 'pipe dream'.

Susan Baker, 57, said: "If they and the council want a controlled parking zone it isn't going to happen. Parking is already a nightmare here and cars sometimes park dangerously.

"On Beauchamp Lane when cars line up that street at the weekend its far too narrow. And if they knock down that old building [Castle Car Park], although its an eyesore, there will be less place to park."

One nearby resident who preferred to remain anonymous said she couldn't wait for the development to get going.

She said: "I think it needs a lot of work, it's an old shopping centre and it will revitalise the area."

Oxford City Council will determine the application at a later date.