CONCERNS are growing as to how Winchester civic chiefs are handling the Station Approach development.

The city council is holding a design competition for a multi-million pound revamp of the area between Gladstone Street, the railway station, Andover Road and the Cattle Market car park.

Previous ideas have included offices, homes and cultural facilities.

The Chronicle reported early this month that a third architect out of five shortlisted had dropped out.

Cllr Kim Gottlieb, a strong opponent of the Silver Hill said of Station Approach: "It is unusual for a shortlisted consultant to drop out at this stage, but for three out of five to do so is probably unprecedented. It provides the clearest possible indication that there is a fundamental problem with the way in which the process is being managed by the city council.

"It seems clear that the council sees itself as acting as the developer. This is extraordinary as the council doesn't have the experience or the skills to do this. Nothing could be more patently obvious. We are into 'is the Pope Catholic' territory."

Cllr Lucille Thompson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said at Cabinet: "We started off with five and we are now down to two. Does this present the competition jury with a proper choice? Does it make a mockery of this?"

Kevin Warren, chief estates officer, responded: "I can understand the councillor's concerns. The process has always been expecting people to drop out."

Mr Warren said the first drop-out secured a big project and hadn't the resources to do both.

"The second party had no ability to secure professional indemnity they felt they required. We spent a long time with them. They have the same indemnity insurance as others so I will leave you to draw your own conclusions.

"The third didn't come with the right resources. They submitted a bid not particularly good and then didn't proceed to develop.

"With the economy taking a turn for the better there is now more work and more choice than for years. These firms can now pick and choose. They are amongst the best firms in the world."

Mr Warren said the submissions of the remaining two firms was of a very high quality and ideas that were capable of being built. He estimated the value of the work done at £100,000.

"The two are different. There is a clear choice to be made," he added.

The designs, from Design Engine and Hopkins, are due to be submitted in the next few weeks.