Central Winchester Regeneration - Saxon Gate

The Council is seeking the comprehensive redevelopment of the central Winchester area. This section contains all of the latest information on the Saxon Gate project (formerly known as Central Winchester Regeneration).
CWR SPD Framework plan
CWR public realm framework plan

About Saxon Gate

There have been some exciting developments and improvements made with the regeneraton of Saxon Gate (formerly known as Central Winchester Regeneration) since the project was re-started with a community planning weekend in March 2017.

Since then the council has engaged with the community and other stakeholders to create a vision for the area. The site is 4.5 hectares including the bus station, the Broadway; the former Friarsgate Medical Centre; St Clements Medical Centre; Kings Walk; Friarsgate Car park; the former antiques market building and the Woolstapler's Hall.

After a detailed and extended period of consultation the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out the vision for Saxon Gate was approved in June 2018.

You can access and download the SPD via the documentation web link.

Since the SPD was approved, different work is taking place to bring parts of the area to life and prepare other parts for regeneration.

Important stages of development in the area

  1. 'The Blend Academy' took up residence in the previously emply premises in Middle Brook Street after the council undertook work to give the building its own access in September 2018.
  2. Planters and barriers were installed on the High Street in November 2018, in keeping with local surroundings and to provide protection to pedestrians and businesses.
  3. The council owned, former Antique Market was brought back into use as an arts venue, 'The Nutshell' in December 2018.
  4. Henley Halebrown architects were appointed in December 2018 to design and refurbish Coitbury House.
  5. Public information events were held to share knowledge about the archaeology in the area and give anyone interested the opportunity to ask questions and find out more in December 2018.
  6. Meanwhile use feasibility study for the un-used area behind the bus station were commissioned in December 2018. 
  7. The BikeHub at the Open House Deli moved into the council-owned Old Post Office building in Middle Brook Street in December 2018.
  8. A design brief for the public real in the Broadway and the lower section of the Hight Street was agreed in January 2019.
  9. A roadmap outlining the delivery of the project until 2022 was developed and presented to the Cabinet Committee on 22 January 2019
  10. The new name for the project was announced as Saxon Gate, following suggestions from the local community as part of the consultation process. The new name draws from history, tradition and heritage.
  11. Approval of the RIBA stage 2 Concept Design for the refurbishment of Coitbury House and the progression to RIBA stage 3 developed design
  12. Approval to procure additional external resource to support the in house team to develop the archaeology investigation project plan and specification for tenders for the archaeological investigations

 

Timeline - what is happening over the coming months

Timeline
Central Winchester Regeneration project - what's happening over the coming months (Nov '18 - Summer '19)

 

Central Winchester Regeneration - Saxon Gate details

Cabinet Member

Cllr Kelsie Learney

Start Date

29/03/2016

Key Steps/Milestones

Current Status

  • Design and plans underway for Coitbury House redevelopment.
  • Design and plans underway for the public realm at the Broadway and lower section of the High Street
  • Consultants have been identified as strategic advisors to bring a cohesive and expert oversight across the projects in the district including Central Winchester Regeneration
  • Members of the public were given the chance to provide their suggestions for the name of the Winchester regeneration area, which was announced in February as Saxon Gate.

Milestones completed

  • Cabinet Project Initiation: 29 March 2016 – completed
  • Inaugural IPG Meeting: 13 September 2016 - completed
  • Workshop to discuss the public engagement strategy: 3 October 2016 - completed
  • IPG Meeting on archaeology and discussion of brief to commission work: 18 October 2016 - completed
  • IPG Meeting on bus facilities: 8 November 2016 - completed
  • Commission urban design practice with experience in public engagement- November 2016 - completed
  • JTP, award-winning 'placemaking' practice of architects and masterplanners appointed - December 2016 - completed
  • Commission series of technical studies on key issues: November 2016 – Autumn 2017 - completed
  • Public engagement: February- March 2017 - completed
  • Community Planning Weekend - 24/25 March 2017 - completed
  • Engagement with stakeholder groups - completed
  • Vision for SPD - presented to IPG 4 July 2017 - completed
  • Preparation of and consultation on draft SPD: April - November 2017 - completed
  • Report of progress to IPG - 25 September 2017 - completed
  • Presentation of draft SPD to IPG - 30 October 2017 - completed
  • Bus station purchase by the council Autumn 2017 - completed
  • Approval to consult on draft SPD sought from cabinet - 6 December 2017 - approved
  • Formal consultation 11 December 2017 - noon 5 February 2018 - now closed
  • IPG held in public to share archaeology recommendations and consultation response themes - 19 March 2018 - completed
  • IPG held in public to share the consultation themes and actions - 14 May 2018 - completed
  • Overview & Scrutiny meeting to review the final draft of the SPD - 4 June 2018 - completed
  • Final SPD approved by Cabinet 20 June 2018 - completed
  • Final SPD approved by Cabinet (CWR) Committee 20 June 2018 passed and completed its statutory three month challenge period 20 September 2018
  • Coitbury House architect appointed for RIBA stages 0-4 - November 2018 - completed
  • Council acquired the land of the former Friarsgate Medical Centre along with buildings either side of the Bus Station entrance - December 2018 - completed.
  • Feasibility studies for Meanwhile Uses at the Bus Station have been completed.
  • Consultants have been identified as strategic advisors.

Latest Status

Members of the Cabinet (Central Winchester Regeneration) Committee met on 22 January 2019.

A roadmap for the project was presented to the committee.

The roadmap will evolve and change as the project progresses. It provides an overview of the potential timescale for the key stages of the project, including the design, planning and procurement of the development. It also includes investor marketing, funding sources and the overall delivery strategy, along with detail around key workstreams such as a new museum, the move of the bus station and ongoing improvements to the area ahead of the final new development.

The roadmap also shows how the construction phase could begin by the end of 2021.

You can access the roadmap here. (pdf, 3.5mb)

 During the meeting the Committee gave its approval for:

  • A design brief and budget for initial design work for improvements to the Broadway and lower section of the High Street.
  • Experts to be appointed to undertake a business case feasibility study for a potential pop up hub on the un-used space behind the bus station.
  • Additional archaeology work to be identified and costed, including considering the value of water table monitoring across the site and undertaking ground penetrating radar surveys, both of which attendees to the archaeology events, held in December, felt were needed.

Last Committee Report

Cabinet (Central Winchester Regeneration) Committee 22 January 2019

For details on the Central Winchester Regeneration Cabinet Committee, it’s members and it’s meetings please see this link.

Next Steps
  • Design and plans underway for Coitbury House redevelopment.
  • Design and plans underway for the public realm at the Broadway and lower section of the High Street
  • Additional external resource has been procured to start supporting the in house team to develop a archaeology investigation project plan and specification for tenders for the archaeological investigations