THE redevelopment of Station Approach should consist solely of social housing, says a senior member of the City of Winchester Trust.

Judith Martin asserts the one thing Winchester is short of are affordable homes for people such as the young and key workers.

The city council had envisaged a major office development to broaden the city's economy, but its plan for 150,000 square feet of space was derailed by a legal action from the City of Winchester Trust last autumn. An earlier planning application was rejected.

Mrs Martin, who said her proposal is in a private capacity, challenged city business leaders to show the evidence of demand for high-spec offices. She fears such a development could become a white elephant. "Is the need for large offices genuine? Where is the evidence? Show me the evidence.

"In an uncertain world the only certainty is the demand for social housing. If they build houses they would not have to market them, they would not have to wait for the market to be right as with offices."

Her idea is for low-rise terraced housing in keeping with most of the homes nearby. They could be built quickly and with little controversy. Residents in Gladstone Street were strongly opposed to the office scheme which would have towered over their homes.

As well as housing the former Registry Office, formerly the South Western Inn until the early 1990s, could become a boutique hotel. The car park on the corner of Sussex Street would be retained as would the planted trees. Office development could go on the Cattle Market site on Andover Road which the council also plans to develop. The setting of the Hampshire Record Office would be respected.

Mrs Martin, a professional conservationist, says her idea would have wide public support and meet a genuine need. Some 20-30 houses would go on the car park on the corner of Gladstone Street and Station Road.

The coronavirus pandemic could have a long-term impact on the way business is conducted, reducing the demand for such large schemes as proposed by the council.

Mrs Martin hails a scheme for council housing in Goldsmith Street in Norwich as the example of what can be done. It won the 2019 Stirling Prize.

She had planned a public launch of her ideas but the coronavirus crisis intervened.