The plans for a redeveloped Westgate Shopping Centre will not be completed until 2014 at the earliest, Oxford City Council has revealed this week.
The Council has admitted that the recession has rendered the £330m scheme unworkable at present. A deal is yet to be signed between Liberty, Westgate’s owner, and the John Lewis partnership, which was expected to open a department store onsite.
Current planning permission expires in March 2010. Even if new plans are approved on time, construction will not start until 2012. Plans no longer include housing, but council leader, Bob Price, has guaranteed £150,000 to improve car parking facilities.
A draft report for the centre will be discussed at a council executive meeting on December 2nd.
