CRUNCH time is looming for a controversial £10 million development for the elderly on a Winchester car park.

Planners are set to decide tomorrow on the proposal for Extra Care homes on the 81-space Chesil Street open air car park.

The city council and county councils are uniting to back the scheme for 52 flats.

But local people say the housing at up to five-storeys would overpower a street containing medieval and Georgian buildings. It is also in the wrong place with the residents having to negotiate the narrow and dangerous Chesil Street to get into the city centre.

Around 100 local people gathered at the car park on Sunday to show their opposition.

Around 80 objections have been sent to the city council as well as a 176-signature petition. There have been six letters of support.

But planning officers are recommending that the scheme be approved when planning committee meets this week Suzy Willmott, of East Hill, Highcliffe, said: “This scheme contravenes so many of the council's own policies. It will damage the local area and local trade and have a genuine impact on people's lives.

“A private developer would not stand a chance of getting this scheme through.”

Liz Cooper, of the St Giles Hill Residents Association, said: “The council needs to listen to people's concerns. The response to the public consultation showed resounding objections. How the city council maintain they are listening to residents?”

Another opponent has been the East Winchester Social Club on Chesil Street. Club steward Joyce Norris said: “We would lose trade without that car park. It would be difficult for us.”

Fears have been raised by former mayor Sue Nelmes last month that the scheme could become a “ghetto” if disabled elderly cannot get over the Eastgate Bridge.

Council officers point out that the Chesil multi-storey car park is rarely is ever full and if only 100 yards away from the open air car park. Ms Norris said the multi-storey often gets full.

The city council argues that the sharp rise in the number of elderly people makes such schemes vital. The number of people aged over 85 has gone up by a quarter since 2001.

Extra care housing consists of groups of individual houses or flats with communal facilities that allow residents to keep their independence while having access to 24-hour care.

Unhappiness at the Chesil Street plans was one of the complaints by the 1,000-plus people who took part in The Winchester March last November.

There are also concerns that development of car parks at Friarsgate, Cattle Market and Chesil Street will hit motorists, although the city council says there is much spare capacity at the park.