Station Approach in Winchester: viable scheme emerging

Council bosses will meet next week to discuss the next steps of the Winchester Railway Station regeneration, known as Station Approach.

City councillors on Wednesday will discuss the findings of a capacity study carried out by architects Howarth Tomkins between October 2022 and March 2023.

A capacity study considers the market conditions, demand, costs, stakeholder aspirations, council priorities and planning rules to determine which types of development can be pursued.

READ MORE HERE: Preliminary work on Station Approach scheme

The study looked into four sites around the station including Carfax, Cattle Market, Station East and Station West.

The study found that both Carfax and Cattle Market could provide "a mix of commercial workspaces including ancillary food and beverage provision, student accommodation and a multi-storey car park".

It adds that in the future when "macro-economic conditions will change" residential use could be brought forward.

The most credible scheme for the Station East site, which is run by Network Rail, is for commercial offices or student accommodation.

Andover Road

Station West was tested for residential, commercial, workspaces and workshop opportunities but was not considered viable and are not proposed for development.

Station Approach has been on the cards for more than ten years but two previous schemes have been derailed by legal challenges and then the Covid pandemic.

Council officers have recommended submitting a further report to a future cabinet meeting outlining the conclusions of the capacity study.

Council documents state: "This project provides the opportunity to realise a connected sustainable development that contributes to one of the council’s key ambitions to be carbon neutral.

"The re-use of this brownfield site and its role as a transport interchange / public transport hub provides economic, social and community benefit and further supports this aim.

SEE MORE: Public consultation on Station Approach

"Housing in our district is expensive and young people and families are moving further afield because they are unable to find suitable accommodation they can afford.

"If residential use is appropriate, the council will ensure that any development provides affordable housing and homes at fair market value.

"Work patterns, commuter habits and the way people use city centres are changing. This project will make a vital contribution to Winchester’s future economy – helping to deliver the council’s objective for a vibrant green economy and ensuring that Winchester’s centre continues to thrive."

A previous scheme: since discarded