A PROMINENT building in Kidlington could be flattened under new plans, putting a question mark over the future of a cafe there.

The pair of semi-detached shops was the long-standing home of cobblers Fosters – now empty – and now houses Kia Nosh Cafe next door and two flats above.

Now The Brace Place in the nearby Kidlington Centre wants to relocate to a purpose built building on the site with 10 staff. Yet the plan only proposes a ground floor unit of D1 (non-residential institution) on the ground and first floor with flats on the second floor.

The cafe’s Deborah Biguand said those behind the plan had discussed putting a cafe on the second floor but she did not feel this was suitable.

Yet she was unaware of the planning application – which has been submitted to Cherwell District Council – which the Oxford Mail provided her with. Mrs Biguand could not comment further on the plans. The practice and Les Golding, the agent for the scheme, were also not available.

The application says: “The D1 element would enable the relocation of the applicant’s specialist orthodontic practice from The Kidlington Centre to a purpose built environment.

“This would enable the practice to expand and therefore generate further employment.

“Additionally the relocation would allow full access to the practice by patients who are in need of using a wheelchair.

“The access is not available at present as the practice is located at first floor level, without the benefit of a lift.”

And it said the four flats would provide an extra unit than what is there now and would be “high quality accommodation within the High Street which is much needed”.

It adds: “The proposed building is considered to be in keeping with the surrounding area, which is predominately in mixed usage.”

Yet Oxfordshire County Council’s highways department said the eight cycle spaces proposed for the flats are “impractical” as they need to be a metre apart. And senior council engineer Judy Kelly said the eight spaces for the practice could obstruct a walkway between the buildings.

If permission is given then a cafe could not open in the D1 shop unit. This category is for non-residential uses like clinics, creches and schools. The council has set itself a target to make a decision by August 6.