The timetable for the redevelopment of Oxford's Westgate shopping centre hangs in the balance after councillors recommended plans for two temporary car parks should be rejected.

Developers Capital Shopping Centres want to build a two-deck car park for 519 cars on Oxpens recreation ground, and a two-deck structure on the existing ice rink car park for 362 cars.

It had originally planned to build the new multi-storey at Abbey Place, before knocking down the Westgate car park.

But the need for more archaeological work and a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase of Abbey Place flats have caused an estimated six-month delay.

Now developers have told Oxford City Council the temporary car parks are essential if the £330m project is to open on schedule in 2011.

But the city central, south and west area committee rejected the car park plan - and wants Capital Shopping to think again.

Chairman Colin Cook said members unanimously rejected the plans.

He said: "Some members felt the other alternatives hadn't been given enough consideration - options like having this at the Redbridge park-and-ride site.

"Some concerns were also expressed as regard to flooding and the loss of amenity space.

"There was a whole list of things and no-one voted to support it."

The committee's comments will be passed to the council strategic development control committee, which will make a final decision on November 28.

If the plans are agreed, both car parks would open in January 2009.

The Oxpens recreation ground structure would be in use for five months, and the ice rink one for nine.

Capital Shopping marketing manager Simon Ward said the temporary car parks were the only way to keep the project on schedule.

Mr Ward said: "These proposals represent a good solution for maintaining the original programme.

"Temporary car parking will enable the existing multi-storey car park to be demolished and archaeological works to be carried out at the same time as the new multi-storey is constructed."

"We will review the comments raised at the central, south and west area committee, in advance of the applications being considered at the strategic development control committee later this month."