COUNCILLORS were due to be updated last night (Wednesday) on plans to revamp the eastern end of central Winchester.

Thornfield Properties wants to modernise the area between Friarsgate and The Broadway, providing new homes, shops and a replacement bus station.

Winchester City Council has been in talks with the firm over the £100m scheme for several years.

Draft plans went public last summer, and were received with widespread approval from residents, the company said.

Last week, it published around 25,000 copies of its latest proposals - updated after last year's consultation - to keep residents informed.

Its representatives were due to meet with council members yesterday as the Chronicle went to press to discuss the scheme's progress.

Apart from the examining the project's finances, which was due to take place behind closed doors, the authority was expected to address the issue of planning permission.

Thornfield aims to submit an application for the scheme in the spring and officers are recommending that the company should be encouraged to do so.