WORK to give Bicester’s Market Square a £1m facelift is unlikely to start as planned next summer.

Originally it was hoped work on the square’s makeover would start in July 2011, but now it is expected to take place once the town centre development is complete.

The project is a joint initiative between Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, which have pledged £250,000 and £750,000 respectively.

Three different options for the square were unveiled in November with a decision expected to be made in April.

Each option included new paving and crossing points, street furniture, public art and landscaping.

The development would involve a loss of parking spaces.

County councillor Lawrie Stratford said: “Market Square will follow the town centre development. There is no delay, but the start will depend on how the town centre rolls out.”

He warned that delays to the town centre project could see work in the Market Square pushed back to 2012, to avoid hitting Christmas trade.

Town and district councillor Les Sibley, who campaigned for the project to be put on hold until after the town centre redevelopment, said: “It’s a victory for common sense.”