PLANS to extend the Mall at Cribbs Causeway are set to go to a four-week public inquiry.

The proposals, which outline a 35,250sqm expansion of the site, as well as a new hotel and bus station, were given the green light by South Gloucestershire Council in November.

But due to the size of the development, the plans still require approval from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with the inquiry starting on September 5 at Eastwood Park.

The update to the shopping centre would see it drastically expanded, with new shops and a new “anchor” store similar to the existing John Lewis and Marks and Spencer, also featuring new eating facilities, an events plaza, a new hotel and around 150 new residential properties.

There would also be extensive improvements to the transportation system in the area with a new multi-storey car park, a state-of-the-art bus station and new pedestrian and cycle links, including a bridge over Merlin Road.

An estimated 3,000 construction jobs and a further 3,750 permanent jobs would come from the development.

A council spokeswoman said: “We remain optimistic that the £300million investment which would see up to 3,000 jobs created could still go ahead.”