A FORMER fire station will be turned into a food store and flats.
A planning application has been granted for work to be carried out on the site in Barnwood Road, opposite the Wotton Hall Club.
The development is being carried out by Barnwood Construction.
It has not been confirmed which retailer will occupy the unit but some of the big name brands are interested.
Barnwood Construction's managing director, Chris Gabb, said: "All the major food operations have shown a keen interest in the site.
"We now have to meet 26 conditions, which we are dealing with, therefore work should start in the next six months."
Mr Gabb added: "It will attract people to the area, shops always do."
The 12 flats will be above the shop.
Resident Peter Barnes, of Lilliesfield Avenue, Barnwood, said: "We have Lidl nearby and Sainsbury's at the C&G roundabout, so it would be nice to have something nearer.
"However Barnwood Road is a busy one, so it may cause some obstructions, and traffic noise for the people living above the flats."
Mike Groom, of the Barnwood Residents' Association, said: "I have no problem with it being some sort of dwelling but I am not too keen on it being a shop.
"These big shops are taking over the smaller corner ones.
"It will increase traffic and some sort of traffic control should be put in, as well as the lack of parking."
The current building, used as garages at the moment, will be razed to make way for the development.
A design statement drawn up by county architects Roberts Limbrick, who have designed the scheme, said: "The development provides much-needed housing in this area and is a high quality design with robust materials and landscape proposals.
"A comprehensive Retail Impact study has been undertaken as part of this application and demonstrates that the type and size of retail unit proposed is entirely appropriate in this location and would provide a valuable, sustainable, amenity for the local walk-in catchment.
"These proposals will regenerate a under-used brownfield site and bring investment and opportunities to the local area."
