‘Time to restore one of city’s treasures’ - St Giles Hill in Winchester

Cllr Charles Radcliffe has proposed a major scheme for St Giles Hill which offers unrivalled views over the city centre from the east, but is in poor condition.

Cllr Radcliffe, who represents St Michael ward, presented his idea at the Winchester Town Forum. He told the meeting: "I've always thought it was a jewel in Winchester's crown, albeit an increasingly shabby one.

"Sadly, the park has been in a state of gentle decline for several decades. Trees and shrubs have become completely overgrown, undergrowth rampant and views to the east and south have largely been filled in. Pathways are now degraded and railings are rusty, bent and broken."

“Cllr Radcliffe is calling for a new management plan that would see clearance of trees that are blocking the views, new planting and an emphasis on boosting biodiversity as many of the trees offer little for native flora and fauna, restored stairs, footpaths and benches. He is also calling for a new hard-surface, stair-free route connecting the top and bottom of the park, opening up access to people with mobility aids and parents with pushchairs. He stresses the need for public consultation.”

Geoff Wright, of St Giles Hill, raised one issue, that volunteers efforts were being derailed by the city council over the issue of personal liability insurance ans their affoets had been suspended.

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Cllr Radcliffe said: "Restoration of the St Giles Hill Park should be a priority for the city, given its importance to residents and community well-being, and its value as a visitor attraction. If existing Council budgets are insufficient, we should look for funding from developers (through CIL contributions) and central government (which has funding available for improvements to open spaces). Having a strategic plan with shovel-ready projects will mean we're well placed to tap funding as opportunities arise."

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for housing and aset anagement, said welcomed the thrust of what Cllr Radcliffe although said the council officers were hard-pressed. She said ash dieback disease meant many trees would have to be felled.

Cllr Mike Craske said he was frustrated that volunteers efforts were being hampered the recent Vision for Winchester exercise was about empowering people to make Winchester a better place and legal issues were stopping that.

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The Town Forum is responsible for parks and recreation areas across the town area, although expenses related to maintenance of the park at St Giles Hill are drawn from district funds. Given its location within the town area and its value as an amenity for residents of the town wards, the Town Forum has a significant interest in the park’s condition and in supporting improvements. The Town Forum also has recent experience in developing a Park Plan for the park at North Walls/River Park – although the present exercise being proposed for St Giles Hill Park would be smaller in scale and in budget than the work carried out on North Walls/River Park.

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Kimberley Barber