BICESTER’S £70m town centre redevelopment has been dealt a major blow, which could delay building work for at least a year.

Fourteen people have objected to a compulsory purchase order by Cherwell District Council.

The move means there is likely to be a public inquiry over the plan, and the second stage of the scheme, building the actual shops, will not start in the spring as planned.

Bicester’s new centre is a joint project between Sainsbury’s and the district council and will include a supermarket, seven-screen cinema and shops.

Cherwell councillors approved the legal move in October to make a compulsory purchase order for land and rights of way in and around Bure Place after problems persuading one landowner to agree to sell. Anyone with an interest in the site had until November 30 to make an objection.

In a joint statement, the district council and Sainsbury’s said: “The deadline for objections to be made against the proposed compulsory purchase order was November 30.

“We understand that some objections have been received.

“We will now undertake a detailed review of these with the aim of meeting with the objectors to address their issues so that the objections can be withdrawn.

“We will be able to comment further once we have had an opportunity to review all the objections in more detail.”

  • Phase one of the project to move the River Bure from one side of Manorsfield Road to the other and relocate the bus station is under way and due to finish in March.