CIVIC chiefs have agreed to reinstate a building to residential use in the heart of Winchester despite objections that it was never a home.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve plans to develop the site in City Road from its current shell to provide first floor accommodation.

But local resident Phil Yates told planning committee that the site had never been used for residential use and called Jonathan Greatrix's application "misleading".

"We object to this application partly because this application is rather misleading in that it is a reinstatement," he said.

"This building has never been used for residential use. Before 1964 there was no building there. Then, in 1964, this building was erected as a workshop. It continues on until 1974. After that I understand it was used as an art studio. Then it was an office until last year. I have lived at number 77 for 25 years and all that time it has been derelict. In my opinion it's just a workshop. This should be refused on these grounds."