AS the Silver Hill project for Winchester takes yet another twist, can there be a better example of a subject that calls out for open and transparent local government?

As this paper reports today, TIAA Henderson Real Estate have been refused leave to appeal a judgement which said the Winchester city centre development planned for the old bus yard was unlawfully kept from commercial tender.

That earlier decision brought about the resignation of the city’s political leader but did not bring any closer a successful conclusion to this sorry saga.

At the heart of the dispute is what to do with the valuable heart-of-city site which, recent events have shown, is close to the heart of so many city residents.

Faced with such vehement opposition the best course of action would surely be for the developers and elected representatives to decide on a truly open policy that listens to what the public wants and then acts on it.

With concerns that TIAA Henderson will now simply resurrect a former scheme rather than attempting to engage with residents, the Silver Hill saga looks set to be an up hill battle for some time to come this paper fears.