Oriental City has been dubbed London's "real Chinatown"

Oriental City in north London is to be knocked down and rebuilt to accommodate flats and a superstore.

Campaigners had urged Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly to use her powers to review the plans.

But her office said local authorities were normally "best placed to make decisions relating to their areas".

'Not survive'

Yip Fai Liu, chairman of the Save Oriental City campaign, said: "For many of the businesses this could be the end.

"They will not survive on their own and will not be able to afford to relocate."

Mayor Ken Livingstone, who has praised the centre, said he had no legal grounds for blocking the �200m project following a review.

The Colindale centre attracts 10,000 people a week to its shops, restaurants and events.

Judicial review

Although existing tenants would be allowed to return to the new centre, they face up to three years of displacement while it is built.

The Chinese embassy called Oriental City London's second Chinatown - after the more famous West End district - in a letter of support to the mayor.

The project received planning approval from Brent Council in November and building work is due to start within 12 months.