The proposal for E5 Commercial (Higham Way) Ltd sought full planning permission for 10 new Class B2, B8 and E(g) units on a vacant plot off Higham Way, Banbury. Positioned on the edge of the town centre and adjacent to Banbury railway station, the site is surrounded by a mix of residential apartments, industrial premises, and commercial activity. Despite site constraints, including proximity to the railway line and its location within Flood Zone 2, the scheme was sensitively designed to sit comfortably within its context, with low-slung units maintaining a subservient scale to the surroundings.

The development would deliver three blocks of modern commercial space totalling 10,000 sq ft across the 0.74-acre site. Flexible open-plan layouts would support a wide range of occupiers, from small businesses to light industrial users, while external treatments of mixed cladding, aluminium-framed windows and glazed vehicle doors create a contemporary aesthetic. Landscaping buffers to provide screening to nearby residential properties, and the scheme embraced sustainability principles with renewable energy features such as photovoltaic panels and EV charging points. In line with the Cherwell Local Plan, the project sought to promote sustainable job creation and contribute to Banbury’s ongoing economic growth.