A LANDOWNER who has refused to sell up for the £70m Bicester town centre redevelopment has broken his silence.

Brian Westbury, owner of Wesley Lane shopping centre, questioned the benefits of the scheme, which will build a supermarket, cinema and six shops in the town centre.

Cherwell District Council has applied for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to force the sale of the land, near Bure Place, with the backing of developer Sainsbury’s.

Mr Westbury and 13 others have objected and the final decision will go to an independent public inquiry if the issue cannot be resolved.

In a statement, Mr Westbury said: “Taloncross Ltd, the owner of Wesley Lane Shopping Centre, has objected to the CPO due to concerns surrounding the conduct of negotiations to date and the benefits to be provided by the proposed scheme.

“Negotiations with the council and developer are continuing and it is hoped that these will result in a satisfactory outcome to all parties.”

The other objections include access, deliveries and rights of way. Tracy’s Cafe, in Wesley Lane, has objected as it would have to be relocated.

In a joint statement, Sainsbury’s and Cherwell District Council said: “We are continuing negotiations with the various parties, with the aim of reaching an agreement to allow the main redevelopment to proceed without the need for a CPO.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further on individual negotiations as these discussions are private and confidential.”

Work to move the River Bure from one side of Manorsfield Road to the other and preparatory work such as laying pipes started in August and is due to finish in March.

The car parks that would be built on are Crown Walk, Bure Place and part of Franklin’s Yard.

Decked parking would be built on top of the supermarket.