WINCHESTER residents have had an early chance to help shape one of the most important development scheme in the city for decades.

The developer of the Broadway-Friarsgate scheme, which will transform a massive chunk of the city centre, is currently holding meetings with local interest groups.

Yesterday they met members of the residents' association in a series of consultations that include the city council and businesses.

Mike Capocci, the managing director of Thornfield Properties, said: "We will involve everyone at the earliest opportunity. We will take on board people's concerns, observations and aspirations.

"We will try to incorporate their ideas into the proposals. It is an intuitive process."

Mr Capocci said criticism of the developers was premature. The design was at a very early stage. High profile local architects such as Robert Adam and Huw Thomas have said they would favour a more traditional design than the more modern one proposed by Allies and Morrison.

A formal planning application is expected later this year. The scheme will go public on February 28. Some public concern has recently been expressed about the height of the development with some buildings proposed to be as high as seven storeys, similar in height to the cathedral.

Alan Weeks, chairman of the residents' association, said he personally hoped that the public car parking could be reduced.