A two week inquiry into whether a compulsory purchase order should be granted to allow the Westgate development to progress starts today.

Oxford City Council directors Sharon Cosgrove and Michael Crofton-Briggs are set to give evidence to the inquiry in addition to Richard Cable, director of Capital Shopping Centres, at the Town Hall.

The most contentious issue surrounding the CPO is Abbey Place, a council-run sheltered housing block that would have to be flattened to make way for the £330m revamped mall.