Work starts on 10-year infrastructure plan for Winnall neighbourhood
Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council have together commissioned a study that seeks to explore the daily problems and possibilities faced by residents and businesses in the Winnall area, from traffic and parking to community buildings, housing and green spaces.
Cllr Vicki Weston, the City Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Built Environment, commented:
Every neighbourhood has its challenges and its opportunities. Sometimes, long-term solutions need to be identified to manage these. This study will lead to a Planning Framework, a ten-year plan that will inform decisions about policy, funding and service priorities for both Councils and that will help to make Winnall an even better neighbourhood for those who live or work there.
To help research and develop the Framework, Winchester City Council has commissioned with support from Hampshire County Council a consultancy team from Parsons Brinckerhoff with expertise in planning, urban design, transport, economic development and community engagement. They will be speaking to a wide range of stakeholders in the coming weeks, and inviting people to attend special events at which issues and potential solutions will be discussed.
The first such events take place on Thursday 29 January, starting with a business breakfast briefing at Basepoint in Winnall where attendees will also have a chance to meet officers from the City Council to answer their questions about parking, waste, planning and other day-to-day concerns.
On the same day, there will be a ‘Jamboree’ event from 3.30pm until 6pm at Winnall Community Centre. Local organisations such as Firefly Theatre, Integr8 Dance, Age Concern and Youth Options will have information stands or offer performances, while residents can meet the consultants and share their views about long-term developments that would improve daily life in the area. Posters produced by children at Winnall Primary School to show the Winnall of the Future will also be projected and there will be fun activities that prompt people to think about what is most important to them. You can even imagine yourself as Mayor of Winnall for the day.
The two Councils commissioned a similar Planning Framework for Stanmore in 2012-13 which has already led to a series of new developments and new, dedicated planning policies in the emerging Local Plan Part 2. It hopes that the Winnall project will generate just as many interesting conversations, new partnerships and new ideas.
An e-survey has been developed to help collect as many views as possible and can be completed by anyone living or working in Winnall.
Log onto www.surveymonkey.com/s/FutureWinnall and make sure your voice is heard.