A BOTLEY Road Chinese takeaway could be shut down and replaced with three flats if a plan gets the go-ahead.

Developers want to use 133 Botley Road, currently used by the Green Bamboo takeaway, as flats.

The building is at the corner of Botley Road and Earl Street and is a short walk from the Hartwell Grange retail park, also in Botley Road.

The unit is currently used as the takeaway, which was told by environmental health officers that improvement was 'necessary' when an inspection was taken in November 2018.

Oxford City Council gave the owners of 133 Botley Road permission to use its ground floor as a takeaway in 1970 and it has been used in that way ever since.

The site's owners run the takeaway but 'have been struggling to make a profit from it for some time'.

Documents continue: "The owners will soon be forced to close the takeaway business due to poor trade and do not want the property to lie vacant.

"This has influenced their decision to continue the business and move into the property, selling their four bedroom detached property in OX2."

Developers added: "The owners of the site operate the takeaway business and they have been struggling to make a profit from it for some time, as the previous owners of the business did. This has been further exacerbated by the introduction of food delivery services such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats, which allow consumers access to more takeaway options than ever before delivered to their door."

Planning documents continue: "The current flat above is unfit to live in, with no separated entrance area or kitchen provided, hence the plans to invest in the property."