Concept Masterplan for Station Approach approved
Winchester City Council has approved a brand-new Concept Masterplan for Station Approach in Winchester.
The Concept Masterplan, which was considered and formally endorsed at this week’s Cabinet meeting, establishes the vision and aspiration for the site.
Award-winning local architects, Design Engine, produced the Concept Masterplan on behalf of Winchester City Council, using public feedback received during a six-week consultation last summer.
Councillor Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
“Plans for Station Approach have been controversial in the past, but this decision is a real step forward. Design Engine have worked alongside local people, local stakeholders and our local councils to develop a really positive plan for the area.
“Change is coming, and we need to be ready for it. The new Mayoral Strategic Authority coming as a result of the Government's devolution plans gives us a chance to do a much better job in the area around the station and at the station itself. It gives us a way to join up the use of railway land, county land and City Council land - and also join up buses and trains: these plans will make sure we're ready for that. We're also likely to need less parking in the immediate area when the planned new Park & Ride to the north of the city opens up - and that will also let us use the land more productively.
“Winchester is a national powerhouse for architecture and we're really lucky that Design Engine were willing to take this project on. They know Winchester and they care about Winchester and it really shows through in the work they've done.”
The area around Winchester Railway Station is an important gateway to the city. The council’s emerging local plan identifies the ‘Station Approach’ regeneration area, which is allocated as a mixed-use site, with potential to deliver up to 250 homes.
Richard Jobson, Founding Director of Design Engine, said:
“The Concept Masterplan has been both an interesting, engaging, and enjoyable process to lead. Together with the Winchester City Council’s Regeneration and Planning teams, and in consultation with the local community and interest groups, the proposed plan created encompasses both a pragmatic and a dynamic vision for how the Station Approach area can be positively redeveloped in the future.
“Design Engine Architects and our collaborators are grateful for the opportunity to add value to the future vision of a key part of our city that is right on our doorstep."
In 2023, Winchester City Council agreed a new approach to Concept Masterplanning, which enables improved community engagement and becomes a material condition in future decision making.
You can view the Concept Masterplan and supporting documents here: Station Approach - Winchester City Council