COUNCILLORS will inspect one of Winchester's busiest roads to see how jammed it can get.

It comes after they were asked to consider an application to bulldoze the Highcroft NHS complex.

Barratt Southampton and Codex Land Ltd want to replace it with 88 homes.

The developers bought the Romsey Road site, which is home to Hampshire Ambulance Service, in 2006. The NHS is due to leave the site by the end of this year.

Council planners want the scheme to go ahead but have received 60 letters of objection from the public.

The leading gripe was a proposed footpath from the site into Sleepers Hill, home to some of Winchester's most exclusive properties.

However, some councillors raised concerns about traffic.

Cllr Neil Baxter said: "Coming out of this site into Romsey Road any time after 4pm is impossible, particularly if you're turning right."

Cllr Anne Saunders argued that scores of cars already went to and from Highcroft each day.

"I think this is all a bit of red herring when it comes to the traffic," she added.

Councillors agreed to visit Romsey Road on Wednesday, May 7 and will reach a decision on the scheme later that day.