A REVITALISED Westgate Centre in Oxford could open before 2011 after the Government last night said it would not examine the controversial application.

City councillors gave approval in October for what was described as the biggest planning application in the city for a generation, but all expected the £330m scheme would be 'called in' for closer scrutiny.

However, the Government's communities secretary Ruth Kelly said the decision should rest with the city council.

A letter faxed yesterday to chief planner Michael Crofton-Briggs said: "Although generating opposition locally, it has not given rise to national controversy or substantial regional controversy.

"Having considered carefully these and other relevant planning issues raised by this proposal ... the decision as to whether to grant planning permission will remain with Oxford City Council."

The applicants, the Westgate Partnership, argued the centre, consisting of a mall, garden building, market building and John Lewis store, would catapult Oxford up the regional shopping rankings.

However, opponents of the scheme said an opportunity had been missed to pedestrianise Queen Street, when the plans went before the council.

City council leader John Goddard said: "We can now all look forward to a better shopping environment, some more housing - including affordable housing - in the city centre and in the longer term the new Westgate will be a powerful stimulus for the renaissance of the wider West End of the city centre."

Westgate development director Richard Cable said: "We believe these proposals set a standard of design, quality and sustainability to which other towns and cities will aspire."

The news was bad for disabled tenants in sheltered accommodation in Abbey Place, as their flats are to be compulsorily purchased and flattened.

Previous attempts to redevelop the Westgate site had failed.

However, this one formed part of an adopted local plan and received a boost when the Environment Agency withdrew its objections, easing concerns about flooding.

TIMELINE

  • 1972 - £1.8m Westgate Centre opens in June
  • 1988 - Proposals to extend the centre by 23,200 sq m, submitted by CIN Properties and Arrowcroft, thrown out
  • 1999 - Artists' impressions of Capital Shopping Centres £220m revamped mall unveiled
  • 2000 - Oxford City Council approves Westgate extension application
  • 2001 - Decision to grant permission 'called in by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and a public inquiry held. A planning inspector recommends approval
  • 2002 - Mr Prescott throws out Capital Shopping Centres refurbishment plans
  • 2003 - City council appeals and decision is quashed in the High Court. Capital Shopping Centres later withdraws its application
  • 2006 - Capital Shopping Centres submits fresh plans for £300m Westgate Centre.