WINCHESTER City Council has received an update on the Central Winchester Regeneration Project, also known as Silver Hill.
At a Regeneration Cabinet Committee on Thursday, February 8, representatives from Jigsaw Consortium, Matt Woolgar and Warrick Smither, gave cabinet members an overview of how they are tackling the project.
It is a huge £100m-plus redevelopment of the city centre between Friarsgate and The Broadway including the bus station and medical centres at Friarsgate and St Clements. Previous schemes have collapsed for legal and economic reasons.
Mr Woolgar explained that the consortium has been undertaking “meet and greet” meetings across the Winchester district to gather feedback on what residents do and do not want as part of the regeneration.
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Further information was also gathered through the use of the online engagement platform Commonplace.
Mr Woolgar said that key themes which emerged included concerns over housing, movement and transport and design, heritage and culture.
During the meeting, Mr Woolgar also told cabinet members that a Development Delivery Plan is being prepared within the next six months and is expected to be presented to the cabinet in July for approval.
He also said that a development master plan would be put together in nine to 12 months.
The committee also been updated on the long-awaited demolition of Friarsgate Medical Centre, which will be completed by the end of February.
Once the site has been cleared, landscaping will then take place to convert it into an open “meanwhile use” space.
Richard Baker, from the City of Winchester Trust, asked: “Has the council signed a contract with Jigsaw to develop and complete the regeneration of the central Winchester area?”
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A council officer, Dawn Adey, confirmed that a contract has been put in place, saying: “The council has signed a contract with Jigsaw for this project, it has been signed and sealed.”
Cllr Lucille Thompson said: “I think it is great to see the progress and we can start to get excited. It is great that Friarsgate is down after all this time – it really opens up the area.”
Cllr Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, said: “We are in a very exciting time. Thank you for all the work that has been done. I am looking forward to the next meeting and the progress I am sure we will be seeing.”
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