WINCHESTER civic chief Rob Humby has defended his stance on the Silver Hill redevelopment.

Cllr Humby has disputed claims that the £150m scheme will wreck the High Street by sucking footfall from the current main thoroughfare.

Some 40 members of the Business Improvement District broke ranks to write to Cllr Humby voicing their fears.

In response Cllr Humby said: “I know we all agree the Silver Hill area needs to be regenerated. Winchester has been debating just how for fifteen years and more, and I believe it’s about time we got on with it before the City is left behind.”

He said Silver Hill will offer 50 per cent more retail floor space than is currently on the site, an increase of around eight per cent in total city centre retail space and “is hardly swamping the current shops.”

Cllr Humby also pointed out that there is demand for more shops which will otherwise be met by shops out of town in places like Winnall and Bar End.

“I cannot agree that the scheme harms the character of the city. Our historic Cathedral, High Street and quirky side streets remain. Silver Hill will immeasurably improve a dilapidated part of town with high-quality, well-designed buildings and public spaces using top quality materials – and sympathetic modern design rather than pastiche.”

Meanwhile green campaign group WinACC has objected to the revised scheme which Henderson has submitted. Social housing and the bus station have been removed.

WinACC is unhappy about the reduction in dwellings from 287 to 177 but the number of dedicated parking spaces has increased from 122 to 180 over and above the 279 public and staff spaces. The parking will encourage more cars into the congested centre, say WinACC.

The lack of a bus station will create two different waiting areas. “It will confuse passengers and impede travel across Winchester,” said WinACC.

Original plans to open up Abbey Mill Stream with a footpath and garden have been dropped in favour of “blank wall enclosing car parking.”

Qualified support for the scheme has come from Stephen Gates, chairman of the Winchester Area Committee of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.

Whilst backing the redevelopment in general Mr Gates said he was disappointed that a new bus station, affordable housing, new medical centre, youth club and offices have been dropped.

Mr Gates wrote: “It is however disappointing that more details have not been shared about the ‘economic’ reasons for this change to allow businesses and residents the transparency to evaluate the appropriateness of these decisions. It would also be reassuring to know the off-site financial contribution towards affordable housing in the district” will be ring-fenced for this purpose and earmarked for early provision, bearing in mind the urgent need for affordable housing detailed in the Local Plan.”

A team from Hendersons and architects Allies and Morrison will update BID members on October 14.