AN international prize-winning Winchester architect has expressed fears about the relaunch of the Silver Hill scheme.

Robert Adam, founder of ADAM Architecture, voiced fears about the city council may be on course to make the same mistakes as it did over the one that collapsed last year.

That scheme saw the council controversially opting for a comprehensive redevelopment involving just one firm of architects, Allies and Morrison.

Mr Adam has won the most valuable architecture award, scooping the 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Prize valued at $200,000.

Mr Adam, whose firm is based in Hyde, said it was good to hire JTP to organise a new public consultation over the planning blueprint for Silver Hill.

“JTP will do their best to draw in as many people as possible. The more who participate the better. It is important that you get a good cross-section of Winchester, the cathedral, the college, the villages, the outlying towns. But you will never satisfy everybody.”

However he said he has misgivings. “The first Silver Hill was defended to the hilt by council officers. But they need to step back, take a deep breath and say ‘OK, that (Silver Hill 1) really failed, failed for a lot of reasons, and we now have to listen to advice’. But I’m concerned there’s still an agenda.”

He said it was vital more than one firm of architects is involved. “To have a major area designed by one firm would be appalling. It doesn’t matter how good that firm is. It would destroy the character of the place.

“Thought should be given not to a comprehensive scheme but a sequential one that evolves gradually. We don’t know how things are going to change over the next five years. The more complex the scheme, the more flexible,, the more varied and that is good.”

Mr Adam said he would be interested in getting involved. “We always like to work in Winchester.”

“I feel there is hope. JTP are very good."