CIVIC chiefs have given the green light for changes to a development plan in Winchester.

Applicant Richard Watkins sought permission to alter his approved plans to build three dwellings at 29 Downside Road, Teg Down.

The changes include slightly moving the position and raising the height of the proposed properties.

Ward councillor Mike Craske told the city council planning committee of his "serious concerns".

He said: "This is a clear attempt to try and change the plans which have already been granted.

"Step by step, they are trying to alter what they are building, because this is easier than submitting one application that they know will be rejected straight away.

"Solutions are needed to stop these attempts."

The committee were also told that, if the alterations were accepted, the neighbouring property would be overlooked by the new-builds.

But Savills agent Jim Bevan refuted this claim, and said the top windows have not moved from the previous application, and that changes were for "better design purposes only".

He said: "My client simply changed the plans to accommodate better designs.

"There have been rumours claiming the increase in height will be to make way for extra living space in the roof, but this is simply not true.

"The previous plans were cramped –this is purely on a design level."