THE Silver Hill scheme will continue in Winchester despite a multi-billion pound takeover of its developer.

Henderson Global Investments has merged with American pension fund TIAA-CREF to form TIAA Henderson Global Real Estate.

But Winchester City Council, which is working with Henderson on Silver Hill, said it would not affect the scheme at all.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of this merger and it is not expected to have any impact on the future of Silver Hill.”

The scheme would regenerate the city centre providing homes, retail buildings, a new bus station and doctor's surgery.