Liberal Democrats respond to administration of Thornfield Ventures Ltd

2.12.00pm GMT Wed 27th Jan 2010

Kelsie Learney, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group in Winchester City Council commented:

"Winchester needs the housing and the modern retail space that were part of the Silver Hill Plan - and if there's a major delay, that's a big disappointment. Too many buildings at the bottom of town are now lying derelict. The area doesn't currently begin to do justice to the rest of the City. This is one where we all need to pull together. I've already been talking to George Beckett to see how we can work together on this but it's important we don't rush into any decisions we later regret."

Martin Tod, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP, added:

"It's still very unclear what the implications of this news are. Will we get the chance to make the development greener? Will it be possible to tackle the concerns that people had about the scale of the development? We can't afford to have this drag on too long, but we also have to make sure that any revised proposal gets it right. This is the last area suitable for major redevelopment in the centre of town and we will be living with the outcome of this for many years to come."