COUNCILLORS have clashed over temporary uses in the Silver Hill area of the city centre.

Conservative leader Caroline Horrill said the city council's indecision has lost money by failing to have 'meanwhile' uses in the area, now called Saxon Gate.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet member for housing and asset management, denied the analysis.

"I'm pleased to say that the actions taken on Central Winchester 'meanwhile uses' have saved rather than cost the council money.

"One of the Cabinet's priorities is to avoid the financial cliff edge we were facing under the previous (Conservative) administration's spending plans. This has required us to reconsider all the Council's projects and spending."

Cllr Learney said proposals for temporary offices such as the empty Coitbury House, on Friarsgate, were unviable.

The city council is working on new plans for the regeneration of the area between Friarsgate and The Broadway. The first proposals collapsed in 2016 after a legal challenge from Cllr Kim Gottlieb.