TrustNews Jun 20

Chairman's Jottings

For many years now, a number of sites in and around Winchester have been debated and efforts have been made to try and develop some of them, but all to no avail.

Part of the reason for the failure to realise development is the desire of those attempting development to squeeze as much as possible out of a site, leading to an unacceptable scale when related to the surrounding Winchester buildings. It has possibly turned out to be a good thing that sites remain unresolved in view of the impact of the virus, modern technology, and the climate change impact. For example, if the Central Area construction was en-route to being completed, I could imagine the investors would now be very concerned when shopping habits appear to be dramatically changing, particularly where large shops are concerned.

Many building types are now under review, that is, shops, offices and even housing. The way we move around over-arches the way we plan our lives. The virus impact should give an opportunity to consider how Winchester might evolve into the future. For many years now, the City of Winchester Trust has called for an overall Urban Design Framework to be considered which would give us all confidence in the way the City could expand. We have never been given a satisfactory answer as to why such a plan should not be provided. There must be an explanation because to many of us it seems so logical. Incidentally, as l am certain many of us recall, it is not that long ago that a Central Area framework was produced by JTP that seemed an excellent start, and this was adopted as a supplementary planning document (SPD); this plan no longer seems to be referred to, and another firm is now appointed to provide their vision!

Currently there seem to be different planning firms appointed to undertake work on the Central Area, providing a vision statement, tinkering with the North Walls/River Park recreation area, etc. There is no cohesive overall detail planning. We have, or had the County, providing a movement strategy - what has happened to this? A movement strategy is surely fundamental and provides the basis around which an overall plan evolves.

So, please, Winchester planners and councillors, can we have a plan for the City that is joined up and exciting that we can support and so that we can understand how our City will evolve in the future into something that both we and visitors can enjoy. Is there really a good reason why this is an impractical ask?

I am aware that there have been several adverse comments concerning the entrance area to the new Leisure Centre. I happened to pass by recently and now understand how unimaginative and disappointing people have found the entrance to be. One is confronted by a sea of tarmac forming a roundabout with a rash of direction signs. This looks as though it has been planned by a traffic engineer on a bad day, with no thought that this area should be celebrating the way in to our fantastic new centre venue. What a missed opportunity.

Keith Leaman