Developers are celebrating after improved plans to build a £20m town centre shopping development were approved by councillors.

The scheme to build a shopping centre and new Sainsbury's supermarket will transform an 11-acre site on the edge of Wantage town centre. Members of the Vale of White Horse District Council's planning and development committee backed the new outline proposal, despite objections from some residents.

Councillors approved plans submitted by the Wantage-based development consultant Bushbuy to erect six retail warehouses and a Sainsbury's petrol station on the semi-derelict Limborough Road site.

Plans to build the supermarket, seven shops and new access roads had already been approved. The 12 members present were divided down the middle on whether the architects should favour a contemporary or vernacular design.

The plans had been criticised by some householders in Grove Street, following fears over noise, air and light pollution. More than 20 letters of objection and a 45-name petition protesting against the development were presented to the council. Many objections centred on the mistaken belief that a section of Grove Street currently closed to through-traffic would be re-opened. Bushbuy insisted there were no plans to re-open the road.

The managing director of Bushbuy, Bill Atkinson, said: "We have now got to come up with two or three architectural designs for the site and spend time with the Grove Street residents. I don't think their con- cerns are unreasonable."

Gail Cheeseman, of the Grove Street Residents' Association, said: "We do not believe the proposed barrier will be effective in preventing pollution from diesel fumes."