Draft Central Winchester SPD Approved by Cabinet

Published on 7 December 2017

A significant milestone has been reached in the development of Winchester City Council’s Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Central Winchester.

Yesterday (Wednesday 6 December), the council’s cabinet granted approval for the draft SPD to proceed to the next stage of formal consultation. The document sets out the vision, detailed objectives and a Planning and Urban Design Framework for the regeneration of this important site in the heart of historic Winchester.

The regeneration represents an exciting and unique opportunity to create a vibrant, mixed-use hub in the heart of the city, informed by extensive analysis and community engagement and designed to embody the character of Winchester, and attract significant developer and design team interest in further regeneration opportunities.

The cabinet’s approval marks the culmination of work on the SPD by architects and masterplanners JTP, which has been in development since July and carries forward the ideas of the community that were shared during JTP’s Community Planning Weekend in the spring.

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I’m thrilled that we are now in a position to formally consult on the planning guidance framework. There has been significant engagement already and so I’m hopeful that residents share my excitement about our partnership work becoming a reality to create a great new vibrant centre for our city.

Cllr Caroline Horrill, Council Leader and Chair of the Informal Policy Group

The SPD’s Planning and Urban Design Framework outlines the potential uses as well as an urban design and public realm framework across the 4.5 ha site. The mixed-use quarter will include retail, commercial, cultural, housing and community uses, to complement the city centre and serve the whole community. The buildings, streets and places will be designed and laid out with a Winchester character and scale – described as “Winchesterness” – and will include a range of active and restful spaces in the heart of the city.

The proposals also include the opening up of the brook to the east of the site and a new bus hub, and bus routing away from The Broadway and High Street will allow for environmental improvements to accommodate markets and other street based activities.

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The site is extremely significant in activating the wider regeneration of Winchester, and its rich heritage has played an important part in informing the framework. The resulting SPD will be definitive enough to guide the spirit and aspirations of Winchester to help shape the regeneration, but flexible enough to evolve and encourage creativity.

Marcus Adams, JTP Managing Parter

The formal consultation process will begin on 11 December, where members of the public are invited to drop in to a public exhibition, and the community is invited to give their comments from now until 5 February 2018. A final SPD will be approved in spring/summer 2018 by Winchester City Council’s cabinet.

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The people of Winchester are passionate about their city and have been keen to participate in shaping the Vision for the regeneration area. We have already spoken with over 1,500 people; residents, businesses, visitors, students and families, and we hope as many people as possible will take part in this final stage of consultation on the draft SPD and submit their comments.

Charles Campion, JTP's Collaborative Planning Partner

More information about Central Winchester Regeneration can be found here.

Related Projects

Community
Planning

Central Winchester Regeneration, Winchester, UK

Regional City & Town Strategy
Stage: Strategic Guidance