THE former mayor of Bicester said last night he wanted to attract hi-tech businesses to the town after plans for new warehouses were approved.

Members of Cherwell District Council ‘s planning committee approved plans for two warehouses covering 198,000 sq ft, at Symmetry Park off the A41.

Outline planning permission was also granted for four warehouses covering a further 477,000 sq ft.

Former mayor Dan Sames, district councillor for Bicester South and Ambrosden, said: “I think this application could have been turned down but planning officers had taken the view that a lot of work had been done to make the plans acceptable.

“It’s difficult to predict how many jobs these warehouses will create - it could be 650 to 900 jobs and there are concerns about lorries turning out onto the A41, which is already busy.”

Mr Sames said the district council needed to ensure there was enough scope to bring in hi-tech businesses to Bicester.

He added: “We don’t want Bicester to be limited to warehouse and distribution.

“I know residents have said in the past that Bicester is becoming a warehouse town but I don’t necessarily think that’s the case.

“I spoke against the proposals because I was not convinced by the specific need for these particular warehouses.

“Plans for two warehouses were approved and there are outline plans for four more.”

The application for the warehouses 3km south of Bicester was submitted by Warren Reid.