THE massive redevelopment of part of Winchester city centre has been dealt a blow by preservation campaigners.

The City of Winchester Trust has criticised the £100m plans - a model of which is shown right - submitted by Thornfield Properties for Silver Hill.

Thornfield wants to build 282 homes, shops, offices, a bus station and medical and leisure facilities to revamp the rundown area between the Broadway and Friarsgate.

After months of discussions the trust has formally objected to the scheme.

Trust chairman Pat Edwards, pictured right, said that although the scheme was admirable for bringing life to the area and recreating the historic street pattern, it was simply too large for the site.

She added: "It would be an over-development and some of the buildings would encroach too much on surrounding spaces."

The scheme is proving increasingly controversial with national newspapers reporting on fears the six-storey blocks, in a modernist style, would dominate the historic city centre.

Mrs Edwards is urging the city council to reconsider the planning brief.

She said: "The requirements seem to be the root cause of many of our concerns because it appears to demand too much of the site.

The impression is of trying to get a quart into a pint pot."

She said considering nearby Cossack Lane for a medical centre would ease the pressure on space.

The scheme proposes to demolish well-known features such as the 19th century antiques market, the post office, Sainsbury's and Friarsgate multi-storey car park.

The trust is also concerned about the removal of trees from Middle Brook Street and Friarsgate.