PLANS showing the size and scale of the proposed Waitrose development in Weeke were given a mixed response by residents last Friday.

More than 350 householders turned out at the St Barnabas Church Hall to view outline drawings and have their say on the Weeke Local Centre Development before a planning application is submitted.

They filled out forms with their thoughts on layout and design and the facilities they would like at the complex.

Officers from Green Issues Communications -- the media company working with Waitrose -- two Waitrose employees and an architect from Chelstone Management, Winchester Ltd were on hand to answer queries and concerns.

Rachael Broughton, from Waitrose, said: "We have been interested in a site in Winchester for some time and believe this would be a real asset to the area.

"A lot of people have wanted to talk and there have been a lot of positive comments.

"We have a policy of selling local produce so it would also benefit local suppliers within a 30-mile radius of the store."

She added that fresh produce from the nearby Leckford Estate would be stocked.

Esme Yuill, from Green Issues Communications, said the Waitrose store would be around half the size of the Tesco at Winnall and would focus on food rather than furniture and electrical goods.

She admitted that there had been a "mixed reaction" and had heard concerns about traffic and parking.

She said: "From what's on display, it looks like it's done and dusted with the plans but it's not.

"We can't change everything but we will take a broad range of views on board and any recurring themes or ideas will be closely looked at."

Eileen Berry, councillor for the St Barnabas Ward, said: "There should be a projection of what it would be like for residents if 1,000 cars a day came to the site. People would come here from everywhere. So you've got to ask, who is it providing for?"

Alan Rickman, from Taplings Road, the chairman of the tenants and residents association, said: "Some people are very much for it and some are dead against it. I think it could enhance the area, which hasn't looked its best for a while now."

Resident Sally Russell, from Teg Down, said she was concerned about traffic on the "already busy Stockbridge Road".

Carol Geddes, of Stoney Lane, said: "I'm very pro the idea of Waitrose in Winchester so I can't be hypocritical and say I wouldn't want it on my road but I'm concerned, as a lot of people are, about the traffic."

The project includes five smaller shops, nine apartments, space for a healthcare centre and an underground parking area for almost 200 cars.

It will be at Stockbridge Road on the existing Alan Day Honda site and the area that was formerly home to a Texaco garage.

The Honda dealership would relocate to Heritage Park industrial estate in Winnall.