Winchester City Council welcomed a steady flow of residents to the latest round of public consultation on the vacant Bar End Depot.

People living and working in the Highcliffe area were asked to come to Winchester Sport & Leisure Park on Thursday, November 24 to give their views on the long-disused site.

The depot – which has formed part of a more extensive engagement process in recent years – is no longer needed by the authority.

Covering some 2.8 acres and located between Winchester Sport & Leisure Park and Milland Road, it forms an important gateway to the city along the southeastern side.

Hampshire Chronicle: Residents scanning the boards at the latest consultation on Bar End DepotResidents scanning the boards at the latest consultation on Bar End Depot (Image: Stuart Martin)

From a long list of possible uses suggested at previous consultation events, the council has narrowed the potential uses for the plot down to:

  • Residential
  • Light Industrial
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
  • Leisure & Fast Food
  • Mixed-use (for example, a residential area with a shop or healthcare clinic)

Highcliffe resident Jocelyn Jones, 70, attended the consultation. She said: “Our community has been hit by the cost of living so I would like to see a budget supermarket. Also, since the pandemic, the community is much more atomistic so a community centre with something like a cafe where people could meet would be good.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Jocelyn Jones, 70, from HighcliffeJocelyn Jones, 70, from Highcliffe (Image: Stuart Martin)

Ryan Sanger, 27, said he would be happy with "anything that benefits the university facilities",  such as fast food and retail outlets, or even more restaurants.

Alex Curtis, 28, suggested the area could be used to promote local small businesses and sustainability. 

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"I guess just making sure they're not forgotten about,” he added.

Raffi Gracey, 27, said: “I'd like to see some different leisure facilities and things to do around here. Any creative or art spaces would be good.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Raffi Gracey, 27Raffi Gracey, 27 (Image: Stuart Martin)

The council is planning to launch a formal bid by the end of the year.

The exhibition boards from the consultation can be viewed on the council's website, and civic chiefs will be accepting feedback on their proposals until December 8.