A SECOND park-and-ride scheme for Winchester moved closer after city council planners backed the project.

Hampshire County Council is due to make the final decision, but wanted to hear what city councillors thought of its proposals.

The reaction was mixed, but the majority of councillors were in favour.

The scheme has been in the pipeline for several years. It will complement the existing one at Bar End that is usually 80 to 90 per cent full.

The county initially had its sights on Bushfield Camp but after feedback from about 700 residents, switched to the former Tarmac site at Itchen Farm beside the Hockley Link roundabout.

A planning application for that land, which is beside junction 11 of the M3, was submitted in April.

The site will have 864 parking spaces, a toilet block, covered waiting area and security cameras.

City council planning committee members were advised that no objection should be raised, but the new site is unpopular with residents across the Itchen valley in Twyford.

Andy Partridge lobbied the committee on behalf of Twyford residents. He argued that Bushfield Camp would be less visible.

Adrian Walmsley, chairman of Compton and Shawford Parish Council, argued the Tarmac site would be better, as motorists leaving the M3 would avoid Bushfield roundabout.

Officers then advised members that after checking the postcodes of the 700 responses to the county, only residents in Twyford preferred Bushfield Camp.

Councillor Cecily Sutton, who represents the village, said the earthworks might not screen the Tarmac site from view.

Members then backed the proposals by eight votes to three.