Peninsula Barracks - Trust Annual Report 1989
The Trust supported a request by Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust that there should be public consultation before a developer was finally selected for the Lower Barracks site. As a result of this very creditable initiative by HBPT, both they and we were invited to a presentation in London of the two schemes selected by the Crown Commissioners, out of four originally submitted. In the event the Crown Commissioners finally selected a scheme by Arundell House Securities Ltd, which was the one the Trust preferred though we can make no claim to have influenced this decision.
In April this scheme was the subject of a public exhibition at Serle's House. This exhibition lasted only four days, far too short a time for the public display of a development of national importance.
The exhibition gave an outline impression of the scheme and the detailed drawings which will be required for planning applications were not yet available. The Trust's reaction (reported in detail in the May 1989 Newsletter) was broadly favourable though we have certain reservations and suggestions, and careful study of the final plans, when they become available, will be necessary.
The scheme provides underground parking for about 500 cars of which about 300 are intended for the public and for visitors to the Museums in the Upper Barracks site. The Trust is very strongly opposed to the provision of any parking other than for residents on this site which we consider to be completely unsuitable for public car parking, situated as it is on an already overloaded radial route.
Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council have voiced various concerns (which the Trust shares) about the approach to the development of the Peninsula Barracks. They believe that no scheme should go ahead until a plan has been submitted for the entire site (ie; the Upper as well as the Lower Barracks) and that an architect should be appointed to co-ordinate plans for both sites. Representations have been made by the Councils to the Environment Minister and to the Crown Estate Commissioners.