8:50am Sunday 31st January 2010
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.
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