It's been long awaited and much debated, but at last the Westgate development looks to be in the home straight.

Plans to transform the current ugly monstrosity into a gleaming new 21st-century shopping centre worthy of a city like Oxford have been batted around for years.

The world and his wife have got involved, from the city and county councils to deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, whose contribution was both unhelpful and ignorant.

Now, with Environment Agency objections withdrawn and the city and county authorities onside, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, holds the key.

She can - and in all likelihood will - call the plans in and may send them to a public inquiry.

If that happens, we face years of further delays for a project which, although controversial, will breathe new life into Oxford as a shopping venue and remove an outdated carbuncle from the city skyline.

Please Ruth, don't 'do a Prescott' and cop out on this one.

Be brave, be bold and - providing all the planning criteria are met - just say Yes, Minister.