Westgate expansion plan approved

An artist's impression of the new Westgate entrance in Queen Street

Plans for a long-awaited £300m revamp and expansion of Oxford's Westgate shopping centre have been approved by the city council.

The proposals were backed by councillors at a meeting on Monday - although final approval will still have to come from the government.

But the city's Green Party has criticised the plans calling them an "environmental disaster".

The redevelopment could start next year, subject to government approval.

In a statement the Oxfordshire Green Party, said: "The planning decision... to expand the Westgate to the size of Reading's Oracle Shopping Centre will increase congestion, reduce air quality, lose affordable homes and impact on local businesses."

'Enhance prosperity'

But Bill McArdle, Oxford's city centre manager, said: "We believe that these proposals will significantly enhance Oxford's overall retail offer and secure its future prosperity for generations to come."

In a statement, owners The Westgate Partnership, added: "The proposals include the provision of 127 new city centre homes located on Old Greyfriars Street, Abbey Place and overlooking Castle Mill Stream, 50% of which would be affordable and developed in conjunction with Oxford City Council and Bromford Housing Group."

The scheme will increase the size of Westgate to 750,000 sq ft (69,000 sq m), and includes 90 new shops, cafes and restaurants and a replacement multi-storey car park.

A previous Westgate refurbishment and expansion plan, approved by the city council in 2000, was rejected by the government in 2002, despite a planning inspector's approval.