Online consultation on proposals to transform Winchester city centre attracts thousands
The number of people visiting the virtual exhibition room displaying proposals to regenerate Winchester city centre has reached over two thousand. Winchester City Council also hosted two more online consultation sessions last week, with over a hundred stakeholders and members of the public having now taken part so far.
Feedback from the most recent session included:
- 60% of people said they were most excited about the creative space proposed for the site
- 79% of people said they felt excited and / or optimistic about the proposals
- 77% said they felt the online consultation was helpful
Proposals to develop the site, which incorporates Winchester Bus Station, Kings Walk, the old Friarsgate Medical Centre and Coitbury House, include creating a vibrant mixed-use development with high quality new homes, flexible workspaces, a thriving night-time economy and beautiful public spaces.
The consultation is open until 12 January 2021 and the virtual exhibition room and questionnaire for people to share their feedback are both available via the council website (www.winchester.gov.uk/cwr).
Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management said:
“Proposals to revitalise the city centre will support our High Street and bring about positive change for Winchester. We are determined to deliver the best scheme, the best way, based on what we know the people of Winchester want. We are so excited about sharing our plans with the public and delighted that, despite the difficult times we are living through, people have taken the time to see them and share our enthusiasm to move forward.
“We are all having the change the way we do things and that so many people have been able to take part in this crucial, virtual, consultation is fantastic.
“We have made our virtual exhibition room feel as much like being inside a real life exhibition room as possible, and I hope that anyone who has not yet visited will do so before it closes on 12 January.”