WINCHESTER’S civic chief has hit back at a government minister who criticised the city’s controversial Silver Hill scheme.

Cllr Rob Humby said Liberal Democrat Lord Newby was “poorly advised” and should “know the facts” before criticising council bosses for allowing developers to drop affordable housing from its proposed £150 million regeneration project.

The deputy government chief whip in the House of Lords told the Chronicle last week that this would lock all but the rich out of living in the city centre.

He added that the developer, Henderson, which has pledged a minimum of £1 million towards affordable housing in Winchester after dropping 100 homes from its own scheme, could afford to pay more.

But in a letter to the minister seen by the Hampshire Chronicle, Cllr Humby accused him of making “political points” out of Silver Hill without understanding the scheme’s details.

He said: “This is a difficult brownfield site which brings with it high costs and we must be realistic in moving it forward – it is better to have a workable scheme which involves some compromise than be naively over-ambitious and get nothing.

“I am afraid you have either been misled over this scheme or are seeking to make political points without taking time to understand what is proposed at Silver Hill. Perhaps I should not be surprised given you were on a flying visit to attend a political dinner.

“Should you want to visit me and my officers at the city council at any time to hear about the facts on Silver Hill ... we would be delighted to see you. I’ll be sure to send some directions.”

Cllr Humby added that the homes covered by Henderson’s £1 million contribution, which will rise to £2 million if the scheme turns a 15 per cent profit, will include social housing “in the heart” of the city.