Calls for Silver Hill debate (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Calls for Silver Hill debate

8:50am Sunday 31st January 2010 in News By Ash Bolton

A WINCHESTER civic campaigner has called for a public debate on the future of a £100m development in the city centre.

Speaking at the city's town forum meeting Alan Weekes accused civic chiefs of trying to obtain a 'silk purse from a pig's ear' from the proposed Silver Hill project.

Developers Thornfield Properties were due to regenerate a swathe of the city centre but the scheme is teetering on the edge of collapse after parts of the company were placed in administration.

Mr Weeks said: "The public are largely unaware of Thornfield's financial problems because council decisions have been under exempt business.

"What is now required is a public meeting where the public can be fully informed of the situation and the options before them."

Thornfield had envisaged a massive redevelopment including around 280 homes, 40 shops, a bus station and community facilities in the run down area around Tanner Street and Silver Hill.