Excitement is building after the new development partner for one of the biggest schemes in Winchester's history met local residents for the first time.

The Jigsaw Consortium was announced as the developer of Central Winchester Regeneration (CWR) on March 20.

The group, trading as Partnerships and Places, is made up of Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Limited (Kajima and Genr8 Developments) and PfP igloo (PfP Capital and igloo Regeneration).

Residents had a chance to hear from and question the new developer at a meeting held at the Nutshell Theatre in Kings Walk on March 21.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Cllr Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, opened the meeting and said: “This is a very exciting day. We live and work in a very special place, but part of the central area is not quite as special. This is our chance to transform the area. This will be a mixed use regeneration of the area. Our chosen partner gets what we want.”

John Nordon, Jigsaw creative director, gave a presentation to explain some of the previous projects the group had worked on and the approach they were taking with CWR.

He spoke about two projects in Newcastle: Ouseburn Valley and Stephenson Quarter. Ouseburn Valley is currently in development and includes a range of housing, office space, retail and creative workspace. Stephenson Quarter is similar, but with more emphasis on offices. 

Across the consortium, they have also worked on: Rochdale Riverside, Huyton Town Centre Village Project, Campus for Ageing and Vitality in Newcastle and Ironworks in Leeds, among others.

However, Mr Nordon said that the CWR was unique. He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to take things slowly. Measure twice, cut once.”

Members of public were positive about the new development partner and the team behind them.

READ MORE: Winchester Silver Hill: Development partner announced

Former city councillor Patrick Davies asked if there would be any large retailers included and said that it should be 'distinct from the High Street'.

Cllr Tod said: “The supplementary planning document stops us from going with large retail. That is not how we're going about it.”

Jo Crocker, executive director of Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis (WinACC), said: “This makes me really excited about the project. Thank you for taking the climate crisis seriously in your presentation.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Former city councillor Eleanor Bell said: “There is no reason why renting a house shouldn't be an aspiration in people's lives. There are many quality places to rent. But the rental market is broken. Good luck.”

Neil Wyatt, from the South Downs Social in Kings Walk, said: “It's great to see this happening after a lot of talk. Rents are very high on the High Street, I don't think we would have been able to stay in business if we were there. I hope this will create opportunities for young people in Winchester.”

Cllr Tod concluded the evening and said: “Thank you all for the enthusiasm you have shown. I hope you're are as excited as I am about the choice we have made.”