THE city council's executive board has picked a preferred developer for regeneration work in Blackbird Leys.

Long-awaited revamp plans are still at a formative stage and the chosen developer – which was picked from three companies – will not be known for a couple of weeks for legal reasons.

Ambitious outline changes for the estate were agreed in principle three years ago and would include new homes, a community centre and shopping precinct.

Executive board member for housing, Mike Rowley, said there was a clear favourite for the building project at an executive board meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Rowley said: "There is a clearly leading bid that I think we have reason to be confident [of]...will be responsive to the community in Blackbird Leys".

The work will be centred in the central part of Blackbird Leys, around the current shops and community facilities, and around Knights Road, between Northfield School and Spindleberry Nature Reserve.

The council advertised for potential builders in September 2017 and invited final bids from three bidders in May. Final bids were received in June.

Those three applications were asked to set out proposals for design, estate, project and risk management and sales and management and community engagement.