City shopping complex hits delay

Work to build a £330m shopping centre in Oxford has been delayed by red tape.

Preliminary construction had already begun on the four-year redevelopment of the Westgate shopping complex in the city centre.

But the partnership behind it will delay further work pending the outcome of an inquiry into the compulsory purchase of surrounding land.

The complex had been due to be completed in the autumn of 2011 but will not now open until spring 2012.

Westgate Partnership, which is developing the site, said it expected confirmation of the compulsory purchase order by the end of May.

In a statement, the company said: "The Westgate Partnership has always anticipated the need for flexibility due to the complexities of a construction project in an historic city centre.

"It is not uncommon for alterations to occur to the construction timetable.

"The main contract works are to be undertaken from January 2009, with a centre opening date of spring 2012."

Last month, campaigners held a public meeting over a complaint that Oxford City Council agreed to the development plans with little public consultation.

Protestors labelled the plans as "monstrous" and not being environmentally friendly.

But the developers said there had been a "lengthy consultation" process and the scheme had incorporated a number of ideas to reduce its energy requirements.

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