PLANS for a major £70m redevelopment of Bicester’s town centre could get the go-ahead within weeks, the Oxford Mail can reveal.

Last week Tesco, one of the final two objectors to the scheme, withdrew its objection to a compulsory purchase order for land and rights of way at the site around Bure Place.

The move effectively paves the way for work to proceed, although there will be a slight delay because the result of a public inquiry will have to be rubberstamped by the Secretary of State Eric Pickles.

Sainsbury’s and Cherwell District Council want to build a supermarket, shops and cafes, car parking, a cinema and new bus interchange on Bure Place and Crown Walk car parks.

The council hopes to get approval within 12 weeks and said diggers could move on to the site by the autumn.

Norman Bolster, the council’s lead member for estates, said: “It has been a frustrating journey the past 18 months. The market fell apart and the development was in jeopardy.

“But with work done in Manorsfield Road, and the amount of investment in that, it will hopefully give people the confidence we are going ahead.

“The inspector hopes to get his report finished by the end of June and then we will have to wait for the Secretary of State’s decision.

“Hopefully it won’t take long for him to consider it. The timing of this decision is not within our control, but we are doing all we can to enable a start to be made as quickly as possible after the decision.

“Both the council and Sainsbury’s are keen to progress to the final construction phase as quickly as possible to ensure the people of Bicester have the town centre they deserve.”

There were fears the project, which will create about 800 jobs, could be delayed by up to a year after seven objectors forced a public inquiry to be held.

But, in the days leading up to the inquiry, which took place last week, five withdrew their opposition after deals were struck.

It is understood the final objector is not opposed to the scheme, but has an issue with its tenant, although it is not expected to delay the scheme.

Work to redirect the River Bure and change the layout of Manorsfield Road, costing £3.5m, was completed in March.

It was revealed Sainsbury’s will finance its store and the car park, develop the back of Sheep street and extension of Crown Walk, and the council will finance the cinema and shops.

Apollo Cinemas has already signed contracts with the council to operate the cinema, and the rear entrance to Bicester and District Ex-services Club in Sheep Street will get a facelift.