While some may have been cleared, many hurdles remain for Winchester's £90m Friarsgate project.

Winchester City Council cabinet members received a progress report from director of development services, Steve Bee.

Under the scheme, the area between Friarsgate and The Broadway would be developed into new shops, leisure facilities and around 100 flats.

The city's bus station would be bulldozed, to be replaced by a new one, with access from Friarsgate instead of the Broadway.

Mr Bee said a retail study by the council found more shopping units were required in Winchester.

He added that the county council had backed their plans for road access to the new bus station. "Removing buses from The Broadway will give us the opportunity to make it more attractive for pedestrians."

The remaining hurdles included providing access throughout the area for delivery vehicles and replacing the Silver Hill taxi rank.

The council would also have to provide replacement buildings for the St Clements and Friarsgate surgeries, which are expected to be demolished.

Another possible target for the wrecking ball is the Kings Walk antiques market, which Mr Bee explained would constrain future development. The building was not listed and no firm decision had been made on its future.

"There have been some concerns expressed that it should be maintained. It's an attractive building in that part of the town," he said.

The cabinet referred the scheme to the full council, which meets on February 26th. Members will then decide whether to begin a six-week period of public consultation on Friarsgate.