Hampshire's top policeman has hit back after the police headquarters in Winchester was nominated for an "X-list" of "vile" buildings.

The City of Winchester Trust asked residents to suggest eyesore buildings to speed up their demolition. The Romsey Road HQ was among about a dozen named.

Paul Kernaghan, the chief constable, said: "It appears that some residents do not feel the police headquarters in Winchester is an architectural adornment of the city.

"I have no strong personal views on that subject, other than to comment that no city can be preserved in aspic and we each have our individual views on urban development."

But Mr Kernaghan warned knocking the tower block down would be costly and council taxpayers would have to foot the bill. "Every pound spent on our estate is another pound removed from operational policing. Will the City of Winchester Trust or Winchester City Council underwrite all additional costs resulting from demolition, or do they merely expect the council taxpayers of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to pay in a very real sense for local aesthetic judgements?"

The straw poll comes at a sensitive time, as Hampshire Constabulary is appealing against a decision by Winchester City Council refusing permission for the structure to be refurbished, including cladding it in glass.

This would give the 1960s building a new lease of life, something its critics, including the trust, don't want because they say it is a blot on the landscape.

Mr Kernaghan said the refurbishment scheme would improve working conditions for staff who support policing operations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"If this is a lower priority than changing the local skyline, so be it, but if the cost of a new building, wherever it is located, would be greater than the proposed refurbishment, I would like to ask the questionwho will pay the additional cost so that the tower block may be removed?"

The chief constable said those promoting the X-list and making planning decisions in Winchester "...might also wish to reflect on the impact on local businesses and economy generally should I and the occupiers of the other buildings listed be forced to relocate elsewhere."

A Winchester City Council spokesman said the planning appeal would be heard in 2005. A date has yet to be decided.

Meanwhile a modified planning application to refurbish the police headquarters has been submitted to the council.