Central Winchester Regeneration Development Proposals

During the consultation period, which ran from 11 November 2020 to 12 January 2021, Winchester City Council consulted with local residents, businesses and stakeholder groups on the development proposals for the Central Winchester Regeneration area.

Over 2,500 people visited the virtual exhibition and over 100 attended an online consultation session. There were also over 3,000 engagements on social media.

Over 300 people also completed a detailed feedback questionnaire. All feedback has been considered and all comments made, grouped by theme, as well as a response from the council addressing each of these, are available on the council website.

Of those who answered the question ‘Overall, do you support the development proposals for the Central Winchester Regeneration area?’ - 68% confirmed that they did. Feedback also demonstrated a very high level of support for key elements of the development proposals, in particular affordable housing, flexible workspaces, opening up the waterways and improved public realm. There were more mixed views on plans for managing movement around the site, particularly around parking and buses. Some concerns were also expressed about the proposed delivery route using a single development partner. 

This is a complex development which will take place incrementally. The proposed next stage for the project includes short term measures encouraging longer visits to the City Centre, with improvements to the ground floor of Kings Walk and the surrounding public realm, and creating an attractive temporary open space on the site of the old Friarsgate Medical Centre. The best way to deliver the medium-to-long term vision for the creative hub at Kings Walk is being considered.  Settling on the best option to deliver the interim on-street bus solution to unlock the development site is important too. More work is also being done to inform the best way to deliver the development proposals for the long term across the wider site, and a preferred way forward will be presented at a Cabinet meeting in the summer for approval to progress.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management said:

“This is such an important site, for the future of the city, for our economic prosperity and for future generations who may want to make Winchester their home. It is an exciting opportunity and we must get it right.