COUNCILLORS have today given the green light for a major retail park development outside Banbury.

The application by motorsport firm Prodrive to build what will be known as the Banbury Gateway on the site of its premises on the Wildmere Industrial Estate was approved by Cherwell District planning committee this afternoon.

The move comes despite planning officers recommending the proposed development be turned down.

The move looks set to reverse fears Prodrive, which intends to move to the former Hella lighting factory nearby creating hundreds of jobs, could pull out of the town.