PROGRESS on Winchester’s major projects is largely on track, civic chiefs have heard.
The city council’s multi-million pound schemes include the new sports centre at Bar End, Central Winchester Regeneration, or Silver Hill 2, and Station Approach, as well as other projects like the new doctors’ surgery and the Chesil Lodge Extra Care development.
The council also wants to build 600 new homes by 2021.
Councillors at cabinet heard that four of the schemes are on schedule, while one is on hold and another is delayed.
The council’s latest financial and performance monitoring report states that the replacement surgery for St Clement’s surgery is on hold, having been delayed in the previous quarter. It is awaiting progress with partners signing up to a building agreement and agreement for lease, and is estimated to be completed in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Chesil Lodge is currently delayed, with completion having been pushed back from last November to this month. An official opening date for the 52-flat development for over-55s is awaited as the contractor, Galliford Try, encountered several issues which resulted in a longer build.
Cllr Caroline Horrill added that in the progress report, 90 per cent of their other aims had been given a green rating - meaning they are scheduled to be delivered on time - and that it was, “a helpful reminder for us all as we go through the year to provide greater accountability and transparency.”
A key focus for the council is housing, with plans to establish a housing company in the pipeline having received cabinet approval in December last year.
Plans are also in the works for kerbside glass collections and to increased use of Park and Ride to bring traffic out of the city centre.
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