A major obstacle has been cleared in the £5m bid to expand Bicester Village.

Planners expected the proposal to be called in for final approval by deputy prime minister John Prescott - who is also Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions - but he has decided not to intervene.

The way is now clear for 14 new shops to be built on land between the existing retail park and Tesco supermarket, creating up to 200 jobs.

Developers also hope to develop Bicester Town railway station and enhance services on the Bicester to Oxford line to encourage shoppers to use public transport.

The plan had already received the thumbs-up from Cherwell District Council's south area planning comm- ittee in December. At the committee's meeting on Thursday, Cllr Les Sibley said: "This development is the flagship of Bicester and I hope that the Village goes from strength to strength.

"Some people may dump Bicester's traffic problems at the door of Bicester Village but I do not see any other company bringing about the initiatives and investing in the community as they do."

South area planning officer Mr Bob Duxbury told councillors: "The matter is firmly in our court. This remains a good proposal and you should therefore re-affirm your original resolution to approve this."

Story date: Saturday 06 February

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