CELEBRITY chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is close to an agreement with planners over transforming an historic Hampshire building into a new restaurant.

The TV chef’s company wants to open River Cottage Canteen & Deli at Abbey Mill in Winchester later this year.

Planners and company bosses have been in negotiations over the redevelopment of the Grade II listed property.

But in a statement the company has said that talks were progressing and that they expected to reach an agreement with the council.

Several residents have opposed the plans for the building, currently used as an office by the city council.

But company managing director Ron Greacen explained the firm could not enter any dialogue with residents until a deal had been struck with the council.

Mr Greacen said: “River Cottage is very keen to open its next Canteen in Abbey Mill and has been working with Winchester City Council (the landlords) to finalise a lease for the property.

“However despite our best efforts the contract is not yet ready for signature, albeit we believe that it will be soon.

“We would like to engage with the local community and discuss our project, the philosophy behind the Canteen business and explain how we will be working with local suppliers.

“Regretfully however, it is difficult for us to do anything until we have a documented agreement with the council.”

Once home to a silk mill that opened in 1793, Abbey Mill has history as an eaterie as it was a restaurant for servicemen during the Second World War. More recently it has served as offices for the city council and other organisations, including the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Greacen added: “We can see that the redevelopment of Abbey Mill is a complex project and we’re sure that the council are doing a valuable job bringing new life to a distinctive and historic building.

“We will do what we can to help them in the process and hope to reach agreement shortly so that we can get on with our part of the job and talking to our neighbours.”

Last year the Daily Echo revealed the council was negotiating a lease with River Cottage for the mill, subject to gaining planning and licensing approvals.

A city council spokesman said: “From the city council’s perspective, the project is progressing as expected.

“As the statement says, we hope to reach agreement shortly and that will allow River Cottage to talk to the local community about their plans.”