| Developers hoping to build a shopping mall bigger than the Kennet Centre, and a block of flats taller than the Telephone Exchange, have won the backing of town planners.
West Berkshire Council will discuss the controversial Park Way application next Wednesday - newbury.net can reveal - which if passed by councillors, is expected to create 1000 jobs as big names like Debenhams and Next move to the £120m complex.
Planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval, even though it’s two floors higher and 10% bigger than the initial brief handed out to developers two years ago.
However, objectors have already alerted Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to the plans - as West Berkshire Council stands to make millions of pounds profit from selling off car parks - so he will make the final decision.
Nearly 200 flats could be built in Park Way above the shops, and the council may also decide whether to shut Park Way bridge to cars for ever.
The meeting is in the council chamber, Market Street, at 6.30pm. | 
