Chairman's Remarks - Trust Annual Report 1994
I suppose that every organisation, whether commercial or charitable, must expect to win some ventures and lose some. In the case of a commercial organisation, if the number of losses exceeds the number of gains by even a small number, it can quickly lead to financial problems. In the case of a charitable organisation like the Winchester Preservation Trust, if the number of lost causes exceeds the wins by a large number, it could eventually lead to frustration and the feeling that we are banging our heads against a brick wall.
I am very happy to say that during the past year the Trust has had a number of significant successes where we have either influenced the City Council or public opinion to support our way of thinking, or we have thrown our weight and support behind what have turned out to be successful ventures that will sustain or improve the character and appearance of our historic City.
Undoubtedly the most significant case this year has been the decision by the Crown Commissioners and the Ministry of Defence to sell the entire Peninsula Barracks to Arundel Estates, a company experienced in rehabilitating old sites, who will develop the Barracks primarily as low-density housing by ensuring the minimum of demolition and new-build, and will provide extensive public open space, including both the upper and lower parade grounds which will be radically re-landscaped. After making a grant of £2500 towards a preliminary study, the Trust took its time to make up its mind on whether or not to support the Conservation Scheme by first ensuring that both the scheme and the developer were sound. Once satisfied, the Trust gave whole-hearted support in its statements and letters.
The Trust welcomes the developer's proposals for the allocation of two edge-of-site areas for student accommodation and museums, and is eagerly waiting to see the Planning Application with all the details. The Trust's principal concern will be to ensure that the public open space is not reduced and is landscaped to a high standard.
Throughout the year the Trust has expressed its fears for the protection of the Winchester Conservation Area. The Departments of Environment and National Heritage, supported by English Heritage, are reported to be publishing tighter regulations to prevent the despoliation of Conservation Areas, but so far nothing concrete has appeared.
It was in following up the issue of the Conservation Area that the Trust was confronted by the City Planning Committee, apparently willing to accept the advice of City Officers, by showing themselves to be in favour of the demolition of the Victorian Edmonds Lodge in Christchurch Road. The building was then to be replaced by four integrated dwellings combining to make a single building far too bulky for the site , with carparking for 12 cars in the garden.
A strong campaign was mounted by the Trust, resulting in Councillors throwing out unopposed both the application to demolish and the design of the new building. It is now thought that the developer will go to appeal, where the Trust will fully participate in support of the City Council at the Public Inquiry.
Also this year, the Trust supported the City Council at a Public Inquiry in opposing the application by Tesco to build a food supermarket on the playing fields at Bar End. Whether Tesco saw the writing on the wall or for some other reason, Tesco withdrew its application. We must now hope that some other company does not purchase the land from Tesco and attempt to set up some other non-recreational enterprise on the same site.
On the debit side, I am afraid that we still remain somewhat frustrated by the City's lack of financial and human resources devoted to landscaping. For example, the tree-planting provision made for the whole 260 square miles comprising the Winchester District scarcely amounts to £5000. In addition, there are repeated cases where developers and property owners have ridden rough-shod over the regulations for the maintenance of trees, shrubs and landscaping. Due to enforcement procedure errors or the weak drafting of conditions there appears to be no action that can be taken against law-breakers. The Trust will continue to strive for improvements.
Internally, we have now bought specialised storage facilities so that we are on track to catalogue and store our archives properly, and also to set up our photographic library of the ever-changing Winchester street-scene. The environmental awareness programme for schools, under the Chippindale Venture, is proceeding well. The Heritage Centre is reporting increased numbers of visitors, increased sales in the shop, and good use being made of the meeting rooms.
Our finances, under the control of our Hon. Treasurer Iain Thomson, are in good order, and our membership numbers are being maintained. All membership records have now been transferred to the new computer, under the guidance of the Secretary of the Trust, Flavia Bateson.
In summary, I think that we can safely assure ourselves that the Trust is succeeding in the achievement of many of its objectives due to the energy and enthusiasm of its active committees and individual workers, supported by you the members. This is a matter for great satisfaction, and I express my grateful thanks to those who voluntarily give their time and skills to the work of the Trust. We must be ever vigilant for events and proposals that are against the best interests of our City, and bring them to notice so that the Trust can influence the future to build on our historic past.
History of Peninsula Barracks - cartoon drawn by Huw Thomas Click to Enlarge