Abbotts Barton - Trust Annual Report 1969
The most disastrous occurrence in Winchester for many years is the new Abbotts Barton estate now revealed in all its starkness, and visible from many sides and spoiling one of the finest approaches to Winchester through Hyde. Ironically the most recent addition to Winchester housing is the most conspicuous and the one which also should be the most hidden away.
It is curious how the housing situation has changed since the turn of the century. Municipal housing estates began by setting new standards of design and planning and were improvement on the industrial speculative building which had scarred the face of England during the latter half of the century. The favourite system was the back to back terrace housing in red brick with slated roofs. And now in Winchester we are back to where we started. The terrace houses are being knocked down in the centre and rebuilt on the outskirts. There are of course improvements. They are further apart and indoor sanitation. Meanwhile as Council houses deteriorate in standard, private estates improve and in some parts of the country have set new standards and the only examples of welI planned environment.
It is only fair to say however that the City Council are very concerned at the outcome of their plans, which were not at all as they intended. It is tragic that the acts of the Central Government should be responsible for the blight of Winchester against local opinion. What the Corporation hoped to do is seen in the Brooks area which is far superior and an example of good urban renewal giving an environment better than anything it replaced.
The truth seems to be that well designed Council house beyond the means of the people who need them.