OPPOSITION is growing to plans to build housing for the elderly on a Winchester car park.

The city council is considering plans to develop the Chesil Street open air car park.

Civic chiefs are proposing an Extra Care home for some 50 residents to meet the need of an ageing population.

Displaced motorists can park in the multi-storey car park only 100 yards away.

But people living on Chesil Street say the car park is important for residents and local businesses such as the Black Boy pub on Wharf Hill.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It is the wrong place for such a home. It is the most popular car park in the city and people won’t come to Winchester if they can’t park there.

“We don’t mind housing, after all there were houses there before it was a car park.

But some parking should be retained.”

A report back meeting will be held in the Guildhall on Tuesday, March 18.