The Government has cleared the way for the long-awaited £35m revamp of Didcot town centre to go ahead.

Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, has decided not to hold a public inquiry into the redevelopment plans.

Earlier this year, South Oxfordshire District Council approved a planning application for the 18-acre Orchard Centre scheme, but the proposal was referred to Mr Byers for ratification.

Developers Taylor Woodrow Developments carried out a number of public consultations before submitting the application.

The development includes a pedestrianised shopping centre with a supermarket, 28 smaller shops, a fitness centre, an entertainment centre, health centre and offices, and a large town square and shoppers' car park.

A three or four-screen cinema is also planned.

The redevelopment will cover an 18-acre site off Station Road, between Broadway and the main railway line.

Tim Horton, the district council's cabinet member for economic development, said he was pleased to learn the Orchard Centre had taken a step forward, reflecting the hard work of officers in the planning team.

He said Oxfordshire County Council would tender for the long-awaited section of the Didcot-Milton Heights link road through Didcot.

He said: "Work on the new road is set to start in November. It will provide the new shopping centre with a vital access to the road network."

The next step will be a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase order and road closure order which is scheduled for December.

Mr Horton said: "The council expects to be able to give Taylor Woodrow the go-ahead to start work on the site by the middle of next year."