PROPOSALS to build more than 200 homes on Hampshire's police headquarters in Winchester have been submitted to city planners.

Developer Berkeley Homes has finalised plans to demolish the base and tower block on West Hill, replacing it with 190 flats and 18 townhouses.

The scheme, which also include an underground car park open space, has not changed substantially since a public exhibition in November, but Berkeley says residents' comments led to tweaks in parking, layout and easy movement through the site.

Hampshire Constabulary has declared the 1960s base unfit for purpose and is moving officers to Mottisfont Court and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's headquarters in Eastleigh.

The new estate, between Romsey Road and West End Terrace, would comprise six blocks of red-brick housing, as tall as six storeys.

Forty per cent of the homes, of between one and five beds, will be available at affordable rates: up to 80 per cent of market value.

David Gilchrist, development director of Berkeley Homes Southern, said: "We are delighted with the proposed scheme and believe it will make a positive contribution to Winchester.

"If consented this summer or autumn, we should be in a position to start demolishing the existing police headquarters building in early 2016."

The timing of the demolition depends on whether a home can be found for two peregrine falcons living in a man-made nest on the nine-storey tower block.

The Chronicle reported in March that Winchester Cathedral may take the birds on, but it was unclear at the time of going to press whether this is still an option.

Outline planning permission was granted in 2007 for up to 294 tightly-packed homes but Berkeley has downsized the scheme to allow for larger properties and gardens.

The more spacious scheme has been welcomed by the City of Winchester Trust, but Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) supports taller buildings with more homes and fewer parking spaces.

Residents can view the plans on Winchester City Council's website and comment until June 26.

Meanwhile, Berkeley has been in talks with the Ministry of Justice to ensure residents' windows don't overlook Winchester Prison.

Police have operated from West Hill since 1847, when a station and chief constable's residence were built. The current police station was built in 1966.