Winchester people can help shape a vision for the city over the next decade.

The city's planning boss wants residents' views as he unveiled his thoughts on the pressures and challenges on the historic city at a public meeting.

Some 60 people attended the meeting of the Town Forum at the Guildhall to put forward their views.

Robin Cooper, director of development services, said he wanted consensus to reduce the chances of conflict over how the city may develop.

For decades there have been sharp divisions with conservationists battling development, most recently with the campaign to stop the park-and-ride development at Bar End.

Mr Cooper said Winchester needed a "coherent vision" and praised the recent document produced by Southampton City Council. He said Winchester faced pressures including congestion, housing and major developments such as the £90m Broadway-Friarsgate scheme. A planning application was expected in early 2005 with perhaps the first building work in 2007. The government is expected in January to tell Winchester that instead of building 600 homes a year it should build 830.

Although not mentioned as an issue at the meeting, this will increase the pressure on the contentious Barton Farm site.

Members of the public put forward numerous suggestions.

Long-standing council critic Keith Story listed the authority's failings: "More litter, more graffiti, more vandalism, more pavements cluttered with poles and parking meters, more uneven pavements, more crowded housing, more parking problems, more public drunkenness, more anti-social behaviour, more noise pollution, more violent crime, more drug use."

Graham Love, city centre manager, urged the council to stop Winchester from stagnating and being overtaken by its rivals.

Pat Edwards, chairman of the City of Winchester Trust, said the council must address the massive rise in the number of students which had caused a housing shortage.

Resident Mark Banks said the proposed pedestrianisation of The Broadway created the chance for a new fountain, outdoor concerts and even an open-air cinema.

A consultation document on the City Council vision is due out in November with publication in 2005.