Centre clears final obstacle

The controversial revamp of the shopping mall has been given the go ahead after Ms Blears approved a compulsory purchase order for about 13 acres of land around the current centre, built in 1972.

The order means Oxford City Council now has the right to acquire the Duke of York pub, the existing shopping centre, multi-storey and surface car park and 14 sheltered homes in Abbey Place, behind the centre.

However, Vincent McKeown, who lives in Abbey Place, has now applied for Legal Aid to fight his move to a new home, which his carer Christian Pattison, says is unsuitable for his needs. Mr McKeown, who has multiple sclerosis and only communicates by blinking, was prepared to accept a property in Paradise Square, owned by developer the Westgate Partnership.

But that offer was withdrawn and Mr McKeown is set to fight a move to Albion Place, which Mr Pattison said was unsuitable for the 52-year-old wheelchair user, because of its location at the bottom of a hill, between a homeless shelter and a drugs counselling centre.

Mr Pattison said: "The council have said they've won and got the go-ahead but provisos have been made by a judge.

"This doesn't mean Vincent's forced out. They can't just thrown him out. They can't move him on until they've found acceptable alternative accommodation for him, which they haven't."

Mr McKeown's lawyer Kate Waller said: "If we get Legal Aid, we'll investigate Vincent's options for taking the matter to court."

Fourteen flats are being built at Albion Place and are due to be ready by August.

Council spokesman Chris Lee said: "Tenants at Abbey Place will be rehoused in suitable alternative accommodation."

Partnership spokesman Simon Ward said: "The Westgate Partnership has decided against the option of offering the property it owns, as it believes Albion Place offers good quality and suitable alternative accommodation."