DETAILS of how people can have their say on a major project to transform Winchester city centre have been released as the scheme take a step closer.

Winchester City Council’s cabinet unanimously approved the decision to submit the Silver Hill 2 plans for formal consultation at a meeting last week.

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Officially known as the Central Winchester Regeneration project (CWR), the scheme’s draft supplementary planning document (SPD) will now be put to the public to comment on.

Formally launched on Monday at a public exhibition in Winchester Guildhall, the consultation will see the plans going on a tour of the district next month, starting in Alresford on Wednesday, January 10.

The plans will then spend four days on display in various locations around Winchester, before stopping off in Bishop’s Waltham on Monday, January 15.

The project follows the collapse of a previous multi-million pound scheme to regenerate the Silver Hill area of the city.

One of the main objections against the first scheme was that it was too bulky, looming over the city centre. The current SPD envisages are less domineering scheme which also retains the Antique Market.

Council leader Caroline Horrill, who is also chairman of the Informal Policy Group (IPG) which worked with architects JTP to produce the draft SPD, said: “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.

“I would like to thank my fellow IPG members, officers and JTP for their hard work and commitment to making this as inclusive as possible.”

The formal consultation will run until noon on Monday, February 5. For more information about the consultation, visit the Winchester City Council website.

Copies of the draft SPD can also be viewed in libraries in Winchester, New Alresford, Bishops Waltham, Waterlooville, Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford, Fareham and Romsey.

Silver Hill 2 formal consultation tour details:

* Alresford Community Centre – January 10, 11am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm;

* The Brooks Shopping Centre, Winchester – January 11, 11am to 3pm;

* Winchester train station – January 12, 4pm – 7pm;

* The Brooks Shopping Centre – January 13, 9.30am to 5pm;

* St Maurice’s Covert, off Winchester High Street – January 14, 9am to 2pm;

* Kings Church, Bishop’s Waltham – January 15, 11am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm.