WINCHESTER should be more like York than Basingstoke, civic chiefs were told.

The question was raised as city councillors discuss the local plan part 2 and ways the city could develop over the next 20 years.

One potential scheme is the huge redevelopment of the Station Approach area on Stockbridge and Andover roads.

At the Town Forum Dr Nick Dennis, a local resident for 35 years, said a report by consultants Tibbalds was based on the assumption that new development should be about maximising development and potential income for the city council.

He said other issues like tackling air pollution and boosting tourism were downplayed. Long-term prosperity may depend on the seemingly gentler approach, said Dr Dennis.

“We should try to become like York rather than Basingstoke. I ask councillors to rebalance their approach.”

The city council is looking to develop the swathe of land stretching from Gladstone Street across Stockbridge Road to Andover Road and the Cattle Market.

Local architects such as Snug Projects propose building large offices of up to seven storeys and the city council is considering redeveloping the Cattle Market as could the Conservative Club.

Eloise Appleby, city council assistant director, said one idea for Station Approach was creating a business quarter to attract modern high-tech “young companies” to the city as the public sector shrinks.

“They want modern offices and good broadband. We are struggling to provide that in old buildings,” she said.

Cllr Dominic Hiscock, for the Liberal Democrats, said economic growth was important to encourage people to live and work in Winchester “and stop people commuting 24,000 miles a year to work in London.”