A CONTROVERSIAL business and housing development in North Oxford will go ahead after a Government inspector approved the city’s planning blueprint.

The ruling on Oxford City Council’s core strategy brings one of the UK’s longest running inquiries to a close.

The Northern Gateway development, on land close to the Pear Tree interchange, will provide 3,000 new jobs and 200 homes. It remains the most contentious site within the plan.

When the core strategy inquiry concluded in September, opponents claimed it would bring gridlock to roads in the north of the city and, given the economic downturn experienced since the plan was created, the job site was no longer needed.

Last night, Jonathan Gittos of campaign group Engage Oxford, set up to oppose the development, called the decision a “travesty of local democracy”.

He said: “It will take some time for us to absorb what has been said and I have not seen a copy of the report yet.”

But he added: “We will do whatever is necessary, whether that is a judicial review or an appeal to the Secretary of State, to ensure the Northern Gateway is removed.”

City council officers began drafting the core strategy document, now Oxford’s planning bible until 2026, five years ago and details of the Gateway development emerged in 2007.

Liberal Democrat city and county councillor Jean Fooks said she was surprised the inspector had allowed the Northern Gateway proposal, which lies within her county ward, given the traffic evidence and strength of local opinion.

She added: “The worry is, we already have the most congested roundabout in Oxfordshire. Putting any more strain on it is unacceptable.

“We need to solve the current problems.”

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said the Northern Gateway site, which includes land owned by Oxford University colleges and a small parcel of city council-owned land, was critical to Oxford’s economy as it was the only major employment site left within the city.

He said work could start within the next two years, pending planning permission, but he admitted transport improvements would be needed.

He said: “It would be ludicrous to try build it without significant changes to the transport layout there and we accept that.”

He said the core strategy, which contains provision for 8,000 new homes including up to 1,000 at Barton, would not satisfy Oxford’s housing demand. More housing sites would be needed close to the city but, with the abolition of regional planning strategies, that was no longer in the city council’s hands.

He added: “The central Oxfordshire question is at the heart of this. If it is to be the economic dynamo it could be it needs a planning horizon wider than the city boundary.”