Silver Hill Given Green Light By Pickles

Let's face it... tourists stopping off at Winchester's Bus Station might not exactly get the right impression of the city if they look right rather than left at the Guildhall. Well, both the station and surrounding streets now look set to be part of a multi-million pound redevelopment - as the Silver Hill scheme finally got the green light from Eric Pickles, following the approval of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has written to Winchester City Council giving his approval for the CPO which allows the re-development to take place.

In his decision the Secretary of State recognised the compelling case for the scheme in the public interest which he said would support the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area.

Cllr Keith Wood, Leader of Winchester City Council, says the decision is good news for Winchester: "It allows us to press ahead with much-needed improvements for the Silver Hill area and shows the huge confidence that exists in the economic future of Winchester. It has been quite a week for Winchester.  On Wednesday (20th March) Council adopted the Local Plan, meaning that the District is more in control of its planning decisions and its future.  Now we have the decision which unlocks a £100m scheme to re-develop a vital part of the city.”

An inspector’s report will give more detail on the Secretary of State’s decision.  The next steps will be for Winchester City Council to work on a timetable with development partners, Henderson Global Investors. 

Martin Perry, Development Director at Henderson Property, has also welcomed the news: "We are encouraged by the strong support that we have received from the local community, ranging from the business community to the City of Winchester Trust, and look forward to moving ahead with the next stage of development at this exciting scheme.”

The re-development covers six acres - around a quarter of Winchester city centre - and is the largest in the area since the Brooks Centre was built in the 1980s.  The proposals include retail and residential development around a network of streets that link to the existing High Street and Broadway. There will be a new public car park and bus interchange. The development will replace the existing surface car parking, the bus station and buildings from the 1950s and 60s.

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