It is some comfort that we are still reporting developments in the Westgate saga, even if we are unable to offer any hope of an imminent start to work on Oxford’s new shopping centre.

The confirmation that The Crown Estate has purchased the Westgate site, and that it has done so in partnership with a leading developer of shopping centres, the Land Securities Group, does send out a positive signal.

A statement from John Lewis shows that it views the development positively and that it is still committed to its proposed Oxford store.

Clearly, however, development of the Westgate is still some way off. We can expect a new planning application and, one guesses, an extended period of consultation and negotiation before we even have a scheme ready to go.

While we recognise the tough economic climate may mitigate an early start on development, we hope that the new partners will at least get the ball rolling with a new vision and an early planning application.