Winchester Station Approach consultation
Further consultation on ideas to revitalise the Station Approach area of Winchester has been announced by the City Council.
Work has been under way for some time to explore the options for this important gateway site near the railway station, which includes the Carfax and Cattle Market. The Local Plan Part 1 recognises the commercial and other potential of the location and a report by consultants Tibbalds for the City Council considers the issues in more detail. These were subject to consultation through the draft Local Plan Part 2 in late 2014. The Town Forum’s ‘Vision for Winchester’ also refers to the opportunity.
Informal discussions have taken place with City Council ward members, the 2020 group and local architects.
Now the Council wants to involve people in developing proposals further. There will be several stages of consultation: an early stage involving a series of workshops in the coming weeks; an architect’s competition which will include consultation; and, in the summer, a planning application which will feature formal consultation.
The vision for Station Approach sees the development of commercial office space designed to meet existing interest from major firms for Winchester-based headquarters, car parking (a mixture of public and private spaces), some small shops and housing to help enable the development.
Cllr Robert Humby, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
Station Approach is seen by most as a vital area for the city’s economy that is crying out for improvement. We are fortunate to have significant interest from a number of businesses in locating to this area, with its excellent transport links and proximity to our attractive historic city.
The next stage of the process is to engage with all those interested in this area in the development of our plans.
No proposal can please everyone but the City Council consults thoroughly and improves its plans as a result.
Dates for the workshop-style consultation meetings are:
For local residents:
3 March, 7pm-9pm, Guildhall
4 March, 7pm–9pm, Guildhall
10 March, 7.30pm–9.30pm, Guildhall
17 March, 7pm–9pm, Guildhall
The City Council will also be talking to businesses and landowners in the area as part of the programme of consultation.
The City Council is advertising the workshops with leaflets to households in the area. Spaces are limited and priority for resident meetings will be given to those who live in close proximity.
To request a place people should email stationapproach@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848488 by 20 February 2015.