The new £20m Oxford University Said Business School will have a huge glass entrance and canopy facing Park End Street, latest plans reveal.

The University is confident it will be granted full planning permission for the development after submitting final plans to Oxford City Council this week.

Construction could begin in January and be completed in the year 2000 if councillors give the go-ahead in the next few weeks.

Architects have worked closely with city planners to come up with a modern design which they hope will create one of the world's leading business schools - and appeal to the people of Oxford.

The project, funded by Arab businessman Wafic Said, includes the creation of two new squares to form an impressive western entrance to Oxford by road and Rail. Town Square, at the end of Park End Street, has been designed as part of the Oxford Transport Strategy to improve traffic flow and conditions for pedestrians.

The main entrance to the building will face the roadside. The plans show a steel canopy covering a raised entrance court and a glazed front to the entrance and library.

An extra £200,000 has been made available to build Station Square on the rail station forecourt, in conjunction with Railtrack. A 30- metre tower with a digital clock will greet rail passengers.

John Kay, Peter Moores director of the business school, said: "The new plans blend together the values and standards which Oxford expects of one of its major institutions with the results of a detailed study of the specific needs of a 21st century business school. "I am confident we will have amongst the best facilities of any business school in the world. The school will be a major asset both to the University and the economy of the city of Oxford."

Other planned features of the 10,000 sq m development include a garden displaying the ruins of Rewley Abbey, a small amphitheatre and a 300-seat lecture theatre.

The proposals still involve the controversial removal and rebuilding of the listed former LMS station.

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