NEW heating systems are set to be installed in Winchester flats.

The city council cabinet approved spending £1.1m on new gas heating systems for four blocks of flats in Winnall.

A new main will be laid into each of the blocks on Winnall Manor Road with each tenant having their own individual system, although they can remain on the current heating system if they choose.

But Lib Dem group leader Kelsie Learney said the council should be looking at new heating technology at a cabinet meeting.

She said: “This has been a real failure in leadership on the part of the council in introducing new technology in the district. Consultation with residents was reasonably poor and failed to explain what new technology was available.

“There have been a number of concerns raised with us by residents about putting gas into high-rise buildings.

“I do not think this is a very good example of the council’s commitment to introducing energy saving technology, or consultation.”

But Cllr Tony Coates, portfolio holder for housing, said residents had been consulted and the majority wanted gas systems they could control individually.

He said: “There was a very clear and very large preference for people to have their own controllable gas heating system. There are across the city a great number of high rise buildings that have gas heating systems and as far as I know they are perfectly safe and useable and if they were not I’m sure Government health and safety rules would be telling us we could not put them in.

“I think the right outcome has been reached and the gas system is a viable and effective system to put in.”