A MULTI-million-pound scheme to revitalise an eyesore in one of Winchester's most historic settings has been approved by planning chiefs.

The scheme will see the run-down Antiques Centre building on Jewry Street transformed into a new restaurant with offices and six new homes built-up behind it.

City architect firm Huw Thomas has designed the new building, which though keeping the existing front to the antique centre, will involve some major development work at the rear.

When completed the scheme will offer a brand new two-storey restaurant, and six new flats along with some office spaces in a purpose-built four-storey building put up behind the restaurant.

Planning chiefs at Winchester City Council have only received one letter objecting to the plans, from the City of Winchester Trust who claim the design is too busy, with too many ideas and will be detrimental to the historic setting. However several other people have written in to say how pleased they are that one of Winchester's biggest eyesores, in one of the city's most prominent locations, will finally be sorted out.

The developers say they hope building work on the project could begin as early as this spring, with the construction work expected to last for 18 months.

The designs have also been drawn up to complement the architecture of the nearby Grade II listed Corn Exchange building - known to most Winchester residents as the city's library.

The new scheme will help detract from the "unsightly" homeless hostel, which the building should help shield from people on Jewry Street.

The owner of the site, Mohamed Bakhaty said: "This is a high quality scheme which I believe will bring a great deal to Jewry Street."

The developers will have to carry out an extensive archaeological survey to ensure there are no Roman remains on the site.