WINCHESTER civic chiefs say a public consultation over the Station Approach redevelopment will be one of the most detailed ever undertaken.

The city council wants to revamp a huge swathe of the city centre, from Gladstone Street, past the train station and onto the Cattle Market car park, with new offices a major part of the plans.

The city council has suggested new development could lure companies to base their national headquarters in Winchester.

Although proposals are at an early stage, opposition is growing with concerns over Station Approach cited as one of the motivations for the 1,000-protester march through Winchester last November.

The city council says the consultation will include coverage in the press and online, printed leaflets delivered to local homes and at the railway station, meetings with residents and interest groups, and an online survey.

Cllr Stephen Godfrey, council leader, said: “The consultation for Station Approach was at an earlier stage in the process, more detailed and more comprehensive than any we have done before.

"We have received many hundreds of individual and collective responses and all of these are being considered.”