Developers of Winchester's former Minstrels restaurant site are trying to allay residents' fears that the work will cause road chaos.

Building firm, Henry Jones, is carrying out the construction for Swindon-based developers, Bach Homes, who also deny that major changes have been made to plans approved by the city council.

The Little Minster Street scheme is likely to include six apartments, which are expected to sell for over £300,000 each, and one or two shops.

Despite a residents' petition of around 850 signatures the council granted planning permission in October, 2001.

Earlier this year, Bach Homes distributed a construction timetable, stressing that access for residents and pedestrians would be retained even when roads were closed for delivery of materials and equipment.

Michael Le Brocq, who lives in St Thomas Street, is one of the residents opposing the scheme and he believes that the road closures are going to cause a lot of disruption.

He also claims there have been major architectural changes to the proposals approved by the council.

Steve Rosier, Bach's MD, said they were negotiating with the council on what materials to use for windows, walls and roofing, which was normal practice, and he conceded that the finished building might differ slightly from the original plans.

For example, the exterior could now have a render finish on the upper floors.

"But the architectural principles of the original scheme are being adhered to," he added.

Mr Rosier said that disruption through road closures would be kept to a minimum and that the company would continue to keep residents informed of their progress. The demolition of Minstrels restaurant is scheduled to begin in a fortnight and construction will start in mid-July.

A city council spokesman said enforcement officers visited building sites regularly to check that plans are being followed.