Developers have been given approval by the Government for a multi-million pound shopping scheme in the heart of Bradford city centre.

A planning application by Keighley-based developers Chartback, for the £8 million Rawson Quarter, has been rubber-stamped by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions without the need for a public inquiry.

And today the company said it has submitted an application to Bradford Council for the closure and pedestrianisation of the road at Rawson Place as part of the scheme.

Director Stephen McManus said the company is in final negotiations with a national men's and women's fashion company to take over a 22,000 square foot department store in the new Rawson Quarter. He said they are also in advanced negotiations with an Asian department store operator to move into a 9,000 sq ft shop on the site.

Mr McManus declined to name the company but said it is based in the Midlands and has been established in the 1960s. He said it would be the first time the company had traded in Bradford.

The Rawson Quarter, on the site of the old Rawson Market, will have eight other shops and a glazed colonnade leading to a pavilion for food and drink.

The scheme will also provide a new public square, which could be used for cultural and leisure events including Brad-ford Festival.

The application for the road closure and pedestrianisation of Rawson Place will be advertised and people will have the opportunity to object.

It would provide limited loading access up to 10.30am and after 3.30pm.

Mr McManus said: "We are delighted the planning consent has come through and would hope to start work in September.

"We have had a large number of inquiries from companies interested in coming into the scheme."

The redevelopment of the derelict site would be the final chapter of a saga dating back a decade. The historic market hall was three-quarters demolished in preparation for a £6 million redevelopment which never happened because the Council hit funding problems.

Tenants were moved out into a nearby temporary market hall and waited in vain to go back.

They were eventually relocated last year to join John Street market tenants in their hall which had been given a £4.6 million refurbishment.