IT could be another seven years before plans for a multi-million pound scheme in a Hampshire city could see any results.

Winchester City Council last month rubber stamped a decision to terminate its development agreement with property developer TH Real Estate (THRE) for the proposed Silver Hill project.

Now civic chiefs have gone back to the drawing board and will be asking the public what they want to see on the city centre site.

But a meeting heard it could be seven years before any development would now emerge.

Council leader Cllr Stephen Godfrey said: “We’re starting a new project. This is day one of the new project.”

Cabinet members approved a complete review of the whole Silver Hill site to decide how the area should be regenerated.

This so–called supplementary planning document is, Cllr Godfrey said, needed as demands and planning policy had changed.

Cabinet members approved £100,000 for developing the document, work on which is estimated to cost a total £200,000.

The council will also look at whether to hire external consultants.

Initial consultation is expected to run August to December with publication of draft plans around September next year.

Cabinet also agreed to purchase the building currently housing St Clements GP surgery, in Tanner Street, which plans to move and retain the freehold on property it owns in the Silver Hill area.

This comes as the council revealed developers who were kicked off the £150m project earlier this year had dropped their plans for a judicial review.

As reported, a judicial review brought forward by rebel councillor Kim Gottlieb in February last year ruled the council acted unlawfully in its handling of the scheme.

THRE looked set to bring a second judicial review to challenge the council’s decision to terminate its agreement.

This has been dropped, but developers are still considering whether to pursue a claim against the council for breach of contract to reclaim some of its losses.

Cllr Godfrey said the council had sought legal advice before it made its decision.