Row over Shepherd's Bush mall

Sprawling over 43 acres and housing hundreds of shops, it is set to be the capital's biggest single retail space.

But a row has broken out over the £2billion White City centre, with opponents calling it a shopping centre too far.

The complex, under construction near Shepherd's Bush, is the size of Green Park and will dwarf Brent Cross. With 70 restaurants, a nature reserve, a bamboo garden terrace and 4,500 parking spaces, it has been described by developers as "like Bluewater - and then some".

But critics say it will destroy independent local businesses, worsen traffic congestion and eat up land that would be better used for affordable homes. They argue that the last thing needed during a consumer downturn is more retail space. And they warn it will fuel the middle-class flight from London, which already sees 100,000 people leave each year.

The firms behind the project - contractor Multiplex and developers-Chelsfield/Westfield, claim it will provide 5,000 full-time and part-time jobs while improving public transport links.

The centre, between the M41 West Cross Route, Wood Lane and the A40 Westway, is due to open in 2007 and will house a 150,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer store, a Debenhams and a Next branch. White City Central line station will be rebuilt and there will be a new White City stop on the main line serving Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction. Shepherd's Bush will get a new Central line Tube and bus interchange. Shepherd's Bush station on the Hammersmith & City line will get a facelift. A tram may also be built along Uxbridge Road.

Some locals support the project, believing it will boost the economy in a deprived area. Eve Broadway, chairwoman of the White City Residents' Association-said: "Chelsfield has said the shops will take on locals and offer training for proper jobs, not just security and cleaning."

But John Taylor, programme director of local economies at think tank the New Economics Foundation, said: "Money will flow out of Shepherd's Bush to the headquarters of the brand retailers. There will be net job losses as shops close for miles around."

Last week, nearby Uxbridge Road was named as having the most diverse range of independent shops in London and opponents fear a new centre full of "clone" stores will end this.

Nigel Kersey, London director of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "What London needs is houses with gardens so when couples have children they don't up sticks and buy a house in the Home Counties."

Although the planning application provides 1,200 homes, campaigners say there should be more. A spokesman for housing charity Shelter said: "We should be building affordable rented homes, not another Mecca to consumer spending."