LAND earmarked for the West Way redevelopment in Botley has finally been sold to developers for £12.4million.

Vale of White Horse District Council has completed the sale of land to Botley Development Company for £1.4million less than originally planned.

The land sale was one of the remaining stumbling blocks stopping work beginning on the long-delayed project.

Botley Development Company now hopes to start preliminary work on the site as soon as possible.

Matthew Barber, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said, “I’m sure residents of Botley are, like me, delighted to have reached this vital stage.

"It’s been a long road to get to this point, but now we can look forward to a brand new, exciting West Way that will serve Botley and residents in the Vale for years to come.”

The original 1960s shopping centre is set to be demolished and replaced with new shops, a hotel and student accommodation.

Since the original agreements to sell in 2012, plans for the works have been changed numerous times with many of the original shops shutting last year.

Updated plans to phase the development were granted planning permission in 2016 with further alterations requiring additional planning permission made last year. 

The district council and other site land owners said a new price was agreed to help Botley Development Company 'make the changes to their plans that were necessary to meet the needs of the community.'