CIVIC chiefs have approved £300,000 towards completing central Winchester's flood defence scheme.

The Durngate flood defence scheme is the second phase of enhanced flood protection for the city, with the North Winchester Flood Alleviation scheme having been completed in May.

The total cost of the project is estimated at around £720,000, with £420,000 having already been funded.

Following cabinet approval, the funding for the works will come from the council's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds.

But fears were raised at the meeting that other schemes protecting parishes outside the city centre were being neglected.

Cllr Jackie Porter said: “I welcome this report, it is something we need in Winchester.

“I think it is an excellent use of CIL funding. My main concern is that there are other schemes across Winchester and I don’t want to use all the money in the centre and there is nothing left.

“I don’t want to see Durngate slowed at all.”

Cllr Frank Pearson described the project as, “essential work.”

“While I recognise the importance of greater Winchester there are a schemes, such as in Bishop’s Waltham, which are considered important by those parishes,” he said.

He added that he was also worried about possible future damage to the city mill if flood water from River Park and Winnall Moors went into the river Itchen, proposing a flood catchment area in Winnall Moors.

Cllr Caroline Brook told cabinet: “Other projects are certainly not being neglected, for example, the work in Hambledon. This is just a small percentage of CIL funding. We are looking at priorities and this is considered a real priority.”

The greatest flooding in Winchester occurred in the winter of 2000-2001, with significant damage to properties, and then again in the winter of 2013-14.

The cabinet approved the funding unanimously.