AN OLD shopping centre could be demolished next month to make way for a new development.

The Botley Development Company (BDC) has confirmed its planned timetable for works on the West Way in Botley after diggers arrived on site at the weekend.

Construction company SDC will commence the demolition of the main part of the 60s shopping centre on June 25.

But the developers have warned it needs planning permission granted for minor amendments to the scheme at a Vale of White Horse council meeting next week in order to progress as planned.

The timetable is also reliant on gaining consent for highways improvements from Oxfordshire County Council, BDC said in a statement.

Commencement of work to demolish the old Grant Thornton building to make way for temporary shops has started on the site with supermarkets Tesco and the Co-op set to move in.

Residents breathed a sigh of relief while watching work finally begin on the much-delayed project, which BDC has blamed on the complex nature of the site.

Further public consultations are planned for the coming weeks with a drop-in event to be held in St Peter and St Paul Church on West Way on June 4 from 4pm until 6pm.

The company added: "We are also holding regular meetings of the community liaison group, and sending regular newsletters to residents to keep everyone up to date on progress of the build-out, all of which is detailed on the consultation website."

A new hotel, shops and student accommodation will eventually be built on the site as part of a scheme that was first granted planning permission in 2016.