Winchester College has announced proposals to develop two new boarding houses, solely for girls, on land off St Cross Road.

The plans, which will be subject to a public exhibition early next month, come as a result of girls being admitted to the college for the first time in its 640-year history.

It is proposed that the new facilities would be built in the south-west corner of Kingsgate Park, replacing the existing sports pitch. The college would also establish a new all-weather sports pitch in an adjacent part of the park, alongside extensive landscaping.

The unveiling of the plans follows many months of preparatory work, including pre-application discussions with Winchester City Council’s planning department – and an extensive site selection process. In reaching this conclusion, the college took account of a previous planning approval for boarding house provision in this location.

The college’s Headmaster, Dr Tim Hands said: “The admission of girls to the college earlier this month – for the first time in our long history – marked a major step forward. We are delighted that these girls have integrated well into our school sixth form, as day pupils. However, we must also provide girls with the opportunity to board – should they and their families so wish.

"Separate facilities are therefore required. Remarkably, the college has not built a new boarding house since before the first World War. Because of the significance of this change, we have taken the time carefully to develop proposals which would sit comfortably alongside the college’s existing heritage assets and the historic character of this part of Winchester. I hope that local residents take the time to visit the exhibition and find out more about the plans. 

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"The feedback of those living locally, along with other interested parties, will be of great value as we move to finalise the scheme. By implementing these changes, we can secure the college’s long-term viability – and in doing so sustain and strengthen our contribution to the City. This includes expanding the provision of bursaries, including day places for Winchester-based families.”

With the proposed new sports pitch forming an integral part of the scheme, the college’s director of sport, Mark Burley, said: “This new facility would significantly boost the college’s all-year provision for outdoor sports. By establishing a flexible, all-weather surface pitch – with appropriate lighting to enable early evening use during the winter months – we will be able to cater for a wider range of sports, including the interests of girls and day pupils joining the school.

"Alongside our new PE Centre, which is set to be completed next summer, this new facility will provide a much enhanced recreational offer to local residents, community-based clubs and other educational institutions. We look forward to sharing more details in due course.”

The public exhibition will take place at St Michael’s Church on October 7 – 3pm to 6pm and October 8 – 10am to 1pm. After taking feedback into account, the college intends to submit a finalised set of proposals as a planning application to Winchester City Council.