RESIDENTS have warned planning chiefs that they could destroy a historic gateway to Winchester if new development goes ahead.

The city council wants to redevelop Station Approach, the area between the railway station and Cattle Market, with new offices, housing, shops, enhanced public transport, improved traffic flow and parking.

Imogen Dawson, of Worthy Lane, said offices would be out of place in a historic area.

“This is an important gateway for visitors and tourists,” she said.

“Creating the commercial hub on one of the few large open spaces on a site of great importance would be inappropriate and unnecessary.

“There is no need for new offices; there are plenty of empty ones [in Andover Road].”

Her views were echoed by Ashlynne Hanning-Lee, also of Worthy Lane, who urged the council to protect the city's history and heritage.

“If the council is not careful this time will be looked at as one of sheer vandalism,” she said.

“Winchester has something valuable and important that other cities do not have.”

Issues were also raised about the architectural merit of office buildings on the Carfax site.

Steve Opacic, head of strategic planning at the city council, said the results of four consultation meetings with residents, held in March, need to be taken into account.

The meetings were attended by residents and various groups, including the City of Winchester Trust, Winchester Action Against Climate Change and the newly-formed Station Area Neighbourhood Group (SANG).

On its website SANG said that it is concerned about the major impact on residents, loss of surface car parks, traffic congestion and pollution.

It also said other developments, such as Silver Hill and nearby 2,000-home Barton Farm, are not being considered.

The warnings came to light at the local plan committee meeting on Monday (MARCH 30), where comments on developments for Bishop's Waltham, Denmead and Alresford were also heard.

Residents also discussed settlement boundaries, sustainability and affordable housing.