Step forward for 'Winchesterness' project
A development partner's been recommended
Councillors have approved the next steps of a city centre regeneration project – which aims to provide a sense of ‘Winchesterness’.
Winchester City Council’s scrutiny committee has recommended a development partner for the Central Winchester Regeneration (CWR) project.
The CWR site, which spans over 3.5 acres, lies in the heart of the city and includes the bus station, the Kings Walk block and the Friarsgate car park.
Councillor Martin Tod, leader of the council, said the project is the city’s chance to ‘transform’ the area, bringing ‘homes for local families’ and ‘jobs for local people’.
He said: ‘We are lucky to live and work in a really special city with a unique streetscape, great and diverse architecture but a section of the city, the CWR area, doesn’t really work.
‘The council has assembled the land, agreed a supplementary planning document (SPD), set development principles and a year ago approved the procurement process to find a development partner.’
Cllr Todd added the developer should share the council’s vision in order to support the ‘long-term economic and social future of Winchester and the wider district’.
The council envisions a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly quarter that reflects ‘the distinctive character’ of the city centre.
The development should support a ‘vibrant’ retail, cultural and heritage offering which allows the ‘imaginative’ re-use of existing buildings.
The SPD, which sets out detailed guidance related to the development, says it should be divided into residential, mixed-use, retail and food and drink businesses.
Planning documents propose the inclusion of private and affordable housing, flexible workspaces, an independent trade hub, a creative space, a cultural centre and a hotel operator.
The SPD, which is the result of 18 months of research and engagement with the public, sets out eight objectives including ‘Winchesterness’ which means the scheme should be in keeping with the heritage and culture which makes the city unique.
Of the 13 development partners who registered an interest in the scheme only three were shortlisted.
The preferred developer, whose identity is currently confidential, scored 82.29 per cent in the procurement process.
The development partner will be revealed to the public 10 days after the cabinet meeting next Monday.