Capital Shopping Centres has finally got the go ahead for its Westgate shopping centre extension in Oxford after a long planning battle

It was announced last night that the scheme has not been called in by The First Secretary of State Ruth Kelly.

The planning application for the £300m refurbishment, part redevelopment and extension of the existing Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford city centre will get a final planning permission next month.

The proposed scheme, owned by The Westgate Partnership - a joint venture between Capital Shopping Centres and Coal Pension Properties Limited - totals 750,000 sq ft (69,000 sq m) with 90 new shops, bars, restaurants and cafes and a John Lewis department store.

In 2002 the partnership suffered a knock back from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister after its initial plans were called in.

Work on the main construction contract should start in spring 2008 and the completed shops will be open to the public in autumn 2011.