ORGANISERS of a protest march taking place in Winchester today are hoping thousands of people will take part.

The Winchester March aims to highlight alleged dangers to the future of the city posed by the Silver Hill redevelopment and proposals for the Chesil Street and Station Approach area.

The march starts at North Walls park at 11.15am and will make its way through the city centre to The Guildhall, where speeches will be made.

It is set to be the biggest march since those against the Barton Farm housing scheme a decade ago.

Organiser Mike Caldwell said: “There’s a crushing feeling that the council will simply do just what it wants and that public consultation is just an inconvenience to which they pay lip service.”

Council leader Rob Humby denies this, insisting that the consultation is important.

City councillor Kim Gottlieb is spearheading the campaign against the £165m Silver Hill development and has been granted leave to pursue a judicial review against his own Tory administration.