CIVIC chiefs are developing ideas for new homes at the high-rise flats on a Winchester estate.

The city council believes there is space for more homes at Winnall Flats.

The illustration shows the two proposed building to the north of Braxton and Craddock houses, designed by T2 architects.

Council officers have been consulting the local community and stress the scheme is at a very early, ideas stage.

Local resident Glen Jenvey has expressed concerns: “The plans to move cars from a car park to build new flats is not thought through at all, as parking cars next to the buildings will be a fire risk and will prevent fire engines from getting close to the buildings in an event of a fire. The original planners of the site put a carpark away from the tower blocks because of that reason. Hydraulic ladders can’t operate on soft surfaces or from great distances.”

The current idea would see the existing road diverted around Craddock House. The new buildings would not be as high as the current high-rises and there would be new landscaping south of Craddock House and the new building ans car parts would have green roofs.

It says it realises that parking is a problem, with estate workers clogging the roads during the day. It has done a survey to understand how the area is being used.

The council has a target of 1,000 homes by 2028, recently increasing it from 600.