THE future of a historic Second World War building in Winchester is still unclear.

Winchester planners remain unsure whether to approve the redevelopment of the Royal Observer Corps building in Abbotts Road.

Bayview Homes wants to convert the Grade II listed building into four flats and construct 18 houses in the grounds.

Earlier this year veterans launched a campaign to stop the developers threatening a unique piece of Hampshire history.

They say the structure is the last original operations room left in Britain and the conversion will ruin it.

The corps played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain by spotting and identifying German aircraft over Hampshire.

It was built in 1943 and listed in 1993 shortly after the corps was disbanded at the end of the Cold War.

Bayview initially submitted plans for 27 homes in March but has since reduced the numbers and say their plan is the best way to preserve the building.

City councillors on the planning committee expressed reservations about the scheme at a recent meeting.

Planning officers have recommended that they approve the scheme when they meet again in September, but some councillors have concerns about the design, parking and access.

Councillor Patrick Davies said: "I think we are creating a horror for the future.

Who are going to buy these properties and maintain them knowing the building is listed? If we cannot keep the building resembling what it was it will be a complete failure and we will end up with a newly-built concrete building which will be horrible."

Attempts to get National Lottery funding to convert the building into a museum in the mid-1990s were unsuccessful, making any use other then residential highly unlikely.

Councillor Ian Tait said: "I commend the applicants and I think they have worked very hard on the plans and I would support them fully."