
PLANS to demolish a former Royal Mail sorting office in Oxford, and redevelop the site into new storage units, have been given the go ahead.
Oxford City Council's East Area Planning committee met earlier this evening to discuss the plans, which would see the site in the Oxford Business Park undergo a serious refurbishment.
Councillor David Henwood said his main concern was the noise likely to come from the trucks delivering and picking up goods.
The site backs on to a housing development and members were worrried trucks might be able to come and go all night and day.
Mr Henwood said: "Is there any reassurance for residents? I think knowing the working hours of the units would be of great interest to locals."
But applicant Plumbing Pensions Ltd has plans for a barrier to prevent any extra noise disturbing those living nearby.
A spokesman for the company said to councillors: "I would urge you not to put hours of operation on there [as a condition]. It would make it very hard to sell the units."
Chairman of the committee Van Coulter said: "I think we have to bear in mind it had unrestricted use when it was a post office sorting depo.
"So perhaps bear that in mind. It is not up to us to speculate what might be there."
A total of seven out of eight councillors voted for the demolition to go ahead and the site be redeveloped.