WINCHESTER Cathedral today unveiled the biggest redevelopment in decades of its historic Inner Close.

Hampshire's premier church is proposing a multi-million-pound scheme to enhance the historic area.

The plans include expanding the preparatory school, The Pilgrims', to allow for 60 more pupils. It currently teaches 200 boys, aged seven to 13.

Eight new town houses are earmarked for Dome Alley, for staff such as stonemasons and vergers who are priced out of the local housing market. Some homes would be for rent, to generate much-needed income.

A third, longer-term proposal is to expand the visitor centre tucked away in the garden of 11 The Close.

A public consultation period on the plans, lasting six weeks, begins today. Copies of the plans are available from the cathedral office.

The dean, the Very Rev Michael Till, said that the proposals, if approved, would be the biggest development since the end of the Second World War, ensuring that "the cathedral's assets can sustain its mission and ministry to its 309,000 annual visitors and worshippers".

Detailed studies have been carried out, and consultation has taken place with the city council, English Heritage and local residents' associations.

The total cost of the scheme is not yet known but it is certain to run into millions of pounds.

Receiver general Adrian Munns, the cathedral's senior administrator, said: "We want to make substantial change in The Close to enhance its character, to identify opportunities to use land and buildings as valuable resources, and to make provision for the cathedral, which is an irreplaceable asset not just to the city and county, but also to the country."

Neighbours have given the plans a cautious welcome.

Elizabeth Crawley, of the St Swithun's Street Residents' Association, said: "We are happy with what we have heard so far, but it is very early days."

City councillor Patrick Davies, who lives in nearby Canon Street, said: "The devil will be in the detail. Parking and traffic will be an issue.

"I don't know how the cathedral is going to manage it. More 4x4s bringing children in to The Pilgrims' is a potential nightmare."

Phase one of the proposed development would be the expansion of The Pilgrims' to include a new technology block, to be completed by September 2007. The dropping off and collection of pupils would be from College Street.

Phase two would involve demolishing several 1960s garages in Dome Alley, and the third phase would include the extension of the visitors' centre. The tree-lined avenues of the Cathedral Green, also known as the Outer Close, would be restored to the original plan of 1750.

The cathedral has also been considering moving the diocesan office from Church House to offices elsewhere, which would reduce the amount of car parking that visually intrudes on the area.

An exhibition of the proposals will be held in the foyer of the cathedral office at 1 The Close.

For more details, see Focus on Faith in tomorrow's Daily Echo.