A NEW architect has been appointed to a major Winchester scheme.

The multi-million pound Station Approach project has moved a step closer following cabinet approval of a design team, who are due to begin work in September.

But the name of the successful firm is being kept under wraps by civic chiefs in preparation for an announcement later in the month.

Last year the controversial plan to build offices and homes near the train station collapsed when city councillors voted against an architect which won a design competition.

But in January the council earmarked £150m for the development, which aims to provide grade A office space.

A city council spokeswoman said: "The contract will be concluded after an official ten day standstill period without challenge.

"The selected firm will scope the mix and balance of different uses across the Carfax and Cattlemarket sites as an initial task. Work also includes the production of a public realm strategy and concept designs for the Carfax site.

"Notification of the council’s decision will be sent to all tenderers, triggering the start of the official standstill period before the contract can be entered into.

"At the end of the standstill period the name of the successful architecture firm will be made public."

The procurement exercise by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) saw 14 architects complete questionnaires and five progressed onto the next stage.

Sarah Williams, RIBA advisor, told cabinet that there had been "a good list of candidates."

But a number of concerns were raised at the meeting about the scheme's progress.

Patrick Davies of the City of Winchester Trust said: "It is not clear to me what documents are available to the public to be able to make a rational decision about what is happening.

"We do need all that information - I think we ought to be able to see it."

The council's chief executive Laura Taylor replied that the information would be refreshed on the council's website in due course.

Cllr Ian Tait asked what would be done differently to the previous scheme, adding that there was “a lack of public confidence in the process.”

Ms Williams replied that there would be more flexibility, that it would take into consideration the other major developments in the city like Silver Hill and that parking would be a major point since the last competition.

Cllr Rob Humby, portfolio holder for business, added that the transport movement study being carried out between Hampshire County Council and the city council would be incorporated into Station Approach, but that they were gathering data at present.

Cllr Liz Hutchinson said; "There are a number of concerns that have been raised about office accommodation in Winchester.

"To make a project like this work there must be a good design team, a good client and a good brief. If we don't have those three we won't succeed."