Westfield has been buying land behind its huge Doncaster complex as it prepares for expansion

WESTFIELD has bought land behind its Doncaster complex to allow for changes to the planned expansion of the shopping centre.

Westfield Doncaster.

WESTFIELD has bought land behind its Doncaster complex to allow for changes to the planned expansion of the shopping centre, delaying the project and pushing the construction time frame back six months.

Construction will now start in the second half of next year at the earliest.

It’s been revealed the conglomerate bought land in Westfield Drive as part of plans for the $500 million expansion.

But Westfield insists the land grab will only affect technical details of the construction and won’t further inflate the previously advertised 43,000 sqm of retail space and 18,000 sqm of commercial office space.

The move has forced Manningham Council to advertise fresh plans for the redevelopment, putting on hold plans for a State Government-convened planning panel to consider submissions.

Instead, council will now advertise the new plans, along with another planning scheme amendment, for further submissions before the panel sits. It is expected that will now happen next year.

Both documents will be available on the council’s website for public comment later this month.

There are changes to vehicle and pedestrian access, as well as the bus interchange and other landscaping and interface changes along the northern side of the complex.

But there are no plans to alter previously exhibited car parking provisions.

Submissions already received have voiced traffic concerns for the gridlocked Williamsons Rd and safety fears for children at St Gregory the Great Primary School nearby.

After the latest round of consultation, all the submissions will be sent to the independent planning panel for consideration before council decides whether to grant permits for the project.

Westfield has been contacted for comment.