PROPOSALS for flats for the elderly in Winchester are set to be strongly opposed by local people.

The city council is exploring building 50 ‘extra care’ flats on the Chesil Street open air car park in a £10.8m scheme, the Cabinet heard.

But local businessmen David Nicholson said the plan would deprive his customers of a place to park near his Black Boy pub, Michelin-starred Black Rat restaurant and Black Hole bed and breakfast currently under construction.

Mr Nicholson said: “That is where my customers park. If you get rid of it I could lose customers.”

He suggested the council redevelop “the Chesil Street multi-storey or Avalon House that has stood empty for six years and cost the taxpayers £1.5m in lost rent.”

Steve Tilbury, corporate director, said the nearby multi-storey was under-used, “within spitting distance” and could be improved with better signing.