Planning Winchester's Future - what happens next? - TrustNews Sept 11
I doubt if there has ever been a more confusing time to try to explain what is going on in strategic planning, both nationally and locally. Hardly a week passes without some new pronouncement which might affect how Winchester is to develop in the future. As I write we await the Government’s decision on the appeal by Cala Homes on their proposals for the development of Barton Farm.
Last month the Government published their draft National Planning Policy Framework, which in the words of Griff Rhys Jones, President of Civic Voice,“seeks to slash, burn and rampage through current planning laws.” One of its more startling requirements is that a Council’s plans must in future include an additional allowance of at least 20% in their housing numbers “to ensure choice and competition in the market for land”.
Against this ever-changing background the Trust’s Policy Group has put forward a considered response to the City Council’s consultation exercise “Plans for Places after Blueprint”. We were fortunate to have Harvey Cole’s advice, particularly on housing and shopping issues and were therefore able to question some of the Council’s population and retail projections based on evidence. The Council will be considering all the public responses before it publishes its Core Strategy towards the end of this year.
Our full response will be available on the Trust’s website.
The Trust also took part in the “Blue Sky Thinking Event” organised with WinACC on Saturday 6th August. We had supported three prominent local architects in presenting a vision for a more sustainable city. They put forward a fascinating strategy for how, in their view, 2000 new homes as well as employment and cultural spaces might be integrated into the historic city. Their vision identified three locations in walking distance of the city centre, where new development could improve the city’s historic setting and most importantly where people would want to live, work and play.
This was a precursor to the review of the Town Forum’s “Vision for Winchester”. The Trust has been invited to take part in the review and we will be attending a meeting with the Forum’s panel shortly on the “History, heritage and setting” theme in the Council’s document. We have also reminded the City of our own “Future of Winchester – a Strategic Vision” which we produced 10 years ago. The Town Forum aims to launch its revised document at a public event in October.
We have also been looking at ways to take forward the report on “Winchester City and its Setting” which the Trust, together with other conservation bodies, sponsored back in 1998. This work was carried out when an earlier City Council plan was in preparation. We are looking at ways of updating and refreshing this report as we are keen to make sure that in the current planning review its valuable assessment of the landscape and townscape of the City is maintained as vital evidence for future policies.
It remains a challenging time for the Trust as we try to contribute in a positive way to the future planning of the City.