Central Winchester Regeneration, Winchester
The opportunity / type:
Winchester City Council is delivering on its Central Winchester Regeneration vision – an ambitious, forward-thinking revitalisation of Winchester city centre – to create a new mixed-use quarter at the heart of one of the UK’s oldest and most cherished cities.
The vision, as set out in the agreed CWR Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), is for a vibrant, mixed-use destination for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The opportunity, which overlooks Winchester Cathedral, totals 3.68 acres and the development proposal for the site comprises approximately:
- 180,000 sq. ft of residential space (40 per cent affordable housing)
- 80,000 sq. ft of mixed-use space
- 25,000 sq. ft allocated for retail and F&B
The site is located at the interface between the commercial spaces and markets of the High Street, the civic buildings of the Broadway and Guildhall, the residential streets to the east and north and River Itchen to the east.
The project is being delivered in line with the council’s target for the Winchester district to be carbon neutral by 2030 and is centred around a sustainable transport strategy that will reduce reliance on car journeys through and into the city centre by promoting a pedestrian and cycle friendly environment.
At the heart of the proposal is the creation of a new, on-street bus solution to give more people better connectivity to the city centre. Part of the planned public realm improvements, this solution was agreed as a way to enable development to come forward on the existing bus station site. The plans also complement the city’s sustainability ambitions through the choice of building materials, measures to minimise energy use, and re-use of buildings, where appropriate.
Details:
Winchester is a significant urban centre in the south of England with a population of over 125,000. It is predicted to grow by a further 5.5 per cent by 2030. More than five million people visit Winchester annually, injecting over £322 million into the local area, while the city is home to 8,860 businesses.
Winchester is seeking to diversify its offer, remaining sensitive to the heritage of a historic city while catering to the needs and lifestyles of a new generation. This includes encouraging a more dynamic mix of uses which are attractive to students and young people, including a range of housing types, creative/maker spaces, workspace, curated retail and F&B.
The revitalised quarter will also offer flexible office spaces for hybrid and co-working to support Winchester’s eclectic, thriving community of entrepreneurs and start-ups, providing an environment where individuals and businesses can flourish. The centre of Winchester is minutes away from the South Downs National Park, while trains from Winchester rail station take just under an hour to central London.
This is an exciting regeneration project that will reinvigorate the whole city and help it meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and beyond, while contributing towards a strong and sustainable future for the wider district and its people.
The Central Winchester Regeneration Opportunity follows extensive consultation with hundreds of local residents, groups and key stakeholders. The SPD was published in 2018 to ensure that there is a clear framework for the development of the site. The council is working with advisors JLL to identifying a development partner to deliver the vision.
The procurement process will be ‘live’ from 17 March on the procurement portal, which can be accessed here.
Location:
The Central Winchester Regeneration area covers four hectares in the heart of the city, including the bus station, The Broadway, St Clements, Kings Walk and the Friarsgate car park.
Local authority: Winchester City Council
Photography gallery credits: Harvey Mills Photography; JLL; Adrienne Photography Ltd.
