A Bad Year for Winchester - Trust Annual Report 1972
Re-development has not been confined to Christchurch Road. Much dismay among residents has been caused by the developments at Priors Barton, Dawn House, and elsewhere. The density, though less than demanded by the developers, is seldom sympathetic to the area. Mini estates of what are described as "Luxury Town Houses" are popping up above garden walls bounded by sinuous concrete curbs having a deadening effect and reducing the quality of development—surely there must be a better way of getting motor cars among the houses. This kind of treatment has become a habit and once it gets a hold, developers know that they are likely to get permission to do the same kind of thing elsewhere.
Changed attitudes to housing are also seen at St. John's South. When these were built in 1832 the aim was plainly to provide the highest standard of accommodation which was both good to look at and good to live in. An example was set which could not, alas, be followed by cottage improvement societies elsewhere through lack of funds. St. John's was skilfully designed as a courtyard open to the south west, allowing the evening sunshine to penetrate from the direction of Abbey Gardens. But this most attractive setting will be lost with the building of a new wing facing the Mayor's official residence at Abbey House. Accommodation is wanted for the elderly but the cost of building is high, so instead of the picturesque and homely building of 1832, some of which is now demolished, we have a utilitarian approach, lacking in the qualities which old people and the important site deserve. What other City would allow this to happen at the Civic Centre ? In order that the elderly can get a view of the gardens, the boundary wall is to be replaced by railings, but never mind, some say, the new wing will be screened by the trees lining the river.
Nevertheless it cannot be denied that in 1832 affairs seemed to be better ordered than in 1972. For that period the living accommodation provided was of a relatively high standard and pride was taken in a worthy building justified on its own merit without the need to be screened by trees.
The idea of a home has been devalued. Now it is not what you like, but what is available, and this is one of the penalties of rapid population growth and inflation. The stock of older, attractive houses is speedily diminishing. Houses with individuality are keenly sought after and often preferred because they have the one luxury which is now almost beyond price-space.
Business re-development also has given a jar to local residents. "Basic Unnoticeable" might be an apt description which would fit most of these, and which, as years go by, whittles away the character of the City. The building which has appeared at the corner of Southgate Street and St. Swithun's Street is a case in point, except that it has been rendered "Basic Discordant" by the choice of bluish tinged brick. It raises the problem of whether it is possible for a Planning Committee, sitting in the dim light of a dingy room, to reach the right decision on the choice of colour of brick in a matter of minutes. Winchester is an area of red brick and tiles but it seems difficult to obtain a well textured brick of sympathetic colour in these days, and this does not mean that all new bricks should adopt the colour of the Casson Block. And would it not be possible to provide a more interesting wall at street level than now terminates St. Swithun's Street at the point where the Roman South Gate of the City once stood?