A decision on whether a £50 million shopping and leisure development which Northampton Borough Council objects to can be built may not be made until next year.
A final decision on Rushden Lakes had been expected by the end of the year following the recent three-week long Rushden Lakes planning inquiry.
But Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, now says a decision on the application could be announced as late as January 30, 2014.
At the planning inquiry, much of the proceedings were dominated by talk of Northampton, and fears that the creation of Rushden Lakes would have an adverse impact on trade and future investment in the Grosvenor Centre.
Barristers for the applicant, LXB Retail Properties, and East Northamptonshire Council both argued in favour of the development being given the go-ahead.
But while representatives employed by the Grosvenor Centre and the consortium of Corby, Kettering and Northampton councils argued against the development being approved.
The proposed development would provide more than 1,500 jobs, and has proven to be popular with residents in the Rushden area.