THE HEAD of the Winchester Business Improvement District has restated his organisation’s support for Silver Hill after dozens of his 800-strong membership wrote an open letter to the city council criticising the development.

Over 40 retail businesses, including Cadogan and Co and D & G Hardware, say they disagree with BID’s official positive stance on the £150m project, which is set to cover about one quarter of the city centre.

In their letter to council leader Rob Humby, the shop owners set out a range of economic arguments against the scheme, they say are backed by decades of experience operating in Winchester.

But this week BID chief executive Chris Turner was keen to stress the organisation remained firmly in favour of Silver Hill.

“We recognise that aesthetic and design arguments are always very contentious and that much debate has taken place over the last few years, but planning permission has already been granted for this project, and we are now looking to the City to fine-tune it to make it ready to start,” he said.

Mr Turner said two public meetings had been held with members, investors Henderson’s and the city council, one in Spring 2012 and another in November 2013, to gauge the reaction to the Silver Hill proposals.

“Some 130 businesses took part in the two meetings and, although many businesses have very strong individual view on the Silver Hill development, the business case for the updated Silver Hill proposals is supported by the BID.

“Our own analysis through our quarterly Business Barometer, our visitor surveys and the recent Independent Retail Study all suggest that our independent retailers - a great strength of the city and still over 50% of our retailers - would be strengthened by an increase in affluent footfall that would spill over from an increased offering of new retailers, rather than people choosing to go elsewhere.”

The ongoing controversy over the development has continued with the news that tax payers could be forced to foot a bill of nearly £100,000 if a Winchester councillor pursues legal action against Silver Hill.

Cllr Kim Gottlieb is seeking a judicial review into the council’s handling of Henderson’s plan to alter the development to building 177 homes - with none of the initially-planned social housing, bus station or youth facilities - and an increase in shop space from 10,284 square metres to 14,029 square metres, including a small department store.

He said: “To stop the destruction of this historic city, it would be worth every penny.”

If the action reaches court it could cost more than £80,000 in legal fees – not including time spent by council workers, said a report to the Cabinet this week.