WINCHESTER housing chiefs have addressed fresh concerns over changes to a controversial elderly housing scheme.

Extra Care housing planned at Chesil Street car park may be tweaked to save money after it went out to tender.

The project, which drew fierce criticism when it was given planning permission in February, will provide 52 flats for over-55s, with communal facilities, parking and a daycare centre.

Forty-four flats will be let at discount rates with six for shared ownership.

Another two will be sold on the open market to generate cash for the scheme, which cabinet housing committee heard was only marginally viable.

Chesil Street resident Nicola Benson raised fears at a meeting that further savings would change the scheme presented to the public.

Officers confirmed the scheme is already viable and potential changes, largely cosmetic interior changes, were precautions.

Andrew Palmer, head of new homes delivery, said: "To reassure residents, we do have planning consent for the scheme and the savings we're looking at will have very minimal, or certainly no adverse, impact on the residents of Chesil Street."

The scheme is set for final approval by cabinet on October 21.