CIVIC chiefs are set to debate ditching the developer behind a £150 million city regeneration tonight.

Winchester City Council has vowed to kick TH Real Estate (THRE) off the Silver Hill scheme if they don’t start work within 12 days. But at a meeting this evening the Lib Dem opposition will call for them to go now.

The threat to end the contract has sparked a row between council and developer, who have been partners on the city centre revamp for five years.

THRE said it had spent £10 million on the project to date and accused the council of being “unreasonable”.

The council hit back with accusations that the company had produced an “inaccurate and selective chronology of events” in order to confuse councillors.

THRE chief Mike Sales has also raised the prospect of legal action against the council, claiming the ultimatum breached its obligation to act in good faith.

It comes after the developer U-turned on its promise to start work by Christmas.

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Lucille Thompson said: “It’s now clear that the developer no longer intends to deliver the scheme that was agreed last summer – with a bus interchange, with social housing and with an improved design. Our view is straightforward – with no bus interchange and no social housing, there’s no deal.”

Whether the Tory-dominated council backs the Lib Dems or rubber stamps the administration’s deadline of February 9, THRE would be given an extra 20 working days to put the plans through before they are dropped for good.

Councillors were given a confidential briefing on the scheme on Monday night.