PLANS to put eight new homes above and behind the former Woolworth’s store in Wantage town centre have been branded ‘over-development’.

The Market Place plan would see a roof extension built at the top of the shop and a three-storey extension with access to the rear.

It would contain one two-bedroom house, one three-bedroom home, three one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats.

But Wantage Town Council objected to the plans at its planning committee on Monday.

Liberal Democrat Patrick O’Leary said: “It was total over-development.

“The verdict was it just should not be allowed to go ahead. It is like people are trying to squeeze things in wherever.

“We do not want to see anything change the front of the building. It is how it has been for so many years.”

The Woolworth’s store closed in 2008 and the building is now occupied by homeware shop Cargo.

Lib Dem town councillor Peter Kent said: “We do not want the concept to be spoilt by cramming housing into every available nook and cranny.

“The shopping centre should be for shops, businesses and infrastructure. And we have plans to see that develop further.”

Party colleague Lorraine Todd added: “It is not just in the town centre, developers are trying to build on every bit of green space they can find.

“It seems to have gone crazy in the last year or two. If it keeps going like this it could ruin our town.”

Developer 42 Market Place LLP was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

Vale of White Horse District Council will make a decision by April 6.