A developer has escaped legal action after pledging to finish landscaping work at a north Oxford site.

Laing Homes has vowed that wetland and wildlife areas at its Canal Walk development, near Aristotle Lane, will be complete by November.

The work, which was set out as a planning condition in 1999, should have been finished by June 2001.

In April, Oxford City Council threatened to take the developer to court unless it produced a detailed schedule setting out a completion date.

The council has dropped its threat of action because the company promised to do the work -- but the authority stated it would be keeping an eye on progress.

Different species of flowers and shrubs should have been planted to create a wildlife corridor. Plans also included a 10m by 7m pond.

Last year, a large hole was dug at the centre of the 65-house development -- but the pond could not be finished because it did not meet safety standards.

Laing Homes said the hole would now be made into a wetland area.

Spokesman Niki Riely said: "We have been been working with the council and residents, and it was agreed this was a satisfactory result."

Miss Riely said other work had been delayed because of health and safety reasons.

Council planning officer Steve Pickles said the problems were caused because the company did not carry out a feasibility study before building work began.

He said: "The council now has a detailed timetable and schedule of works from Laing Homes.

"We have a commitment for all work to be carried out by the end of November."

Mr Pickles will report on the company's progress at the council's north area committee meeting on July 3, at Summertown Church Hall.