Neighbourhood Studies
Oram's Arbour and St James's Lane
10 Recent, & Possible New Developments
St Paul's
a Of interest is the redevelopment to residential use of the St Paul's Hospital site (originally the workhouse) inside the original wall separating it from Oram's Arbour. The later buildings in the north and eastern part of the site have been demolished, though the Lodge remains as part of the new dental surgery, and buildings for a new medical practice and chemist have also been built. The terrace of new gable-fronted houses has provided a distinctive serrated feature on the horizon when viewed from the north east, at Winnall. These gables also reflect the gable front of the adjacent Victorian terrace in Clifton Road. A new archway has been cut through the link to the Infirmary on the west, creating a brief experience of a seemingly \ historic urban landscape. The nurses' home has been retained, as have the laundry chimney and the infirmary (Edinburgh House) as two contrasting features, leaving this curiously but intriguingly proportioned structure intact when viewed from the Arbour.
b In Sparkford Road are a series of 3-storey blocks providing about 30 units of accommodation that has an initial impact of shock. The roof has wide projecting metal eaves with a deep fascia and disconcerting monopitch, and the effect is uncomfortably heavy when viewed against the sky.
c Middle Road and Mews Lane still present opportunities for future development. In this event, care will need to be taken to ensure that the pleasing informality of these mews is not lost.
Mews Lane
d Towards the north end of West End Terrace a timber frame building in very poor structural condition has been replaced by a small house with gable and modern standard components in a diminutive neo-Georgian style, which is totally alien to the terrace. It is unfortunate that such an unsuitable design should have been permitted within the conservation area.
e The Prison, Romsey Road: There are no current proposals for the relocation of this institution, but those interested in penal reform would like to see substantial changes made to accommodation for prisoners that would involve changes to prison buildings throughout the country. Winchester Prison has a prominent hilltop site, and if it is ever vacated, strict control of any new development would be required. The Prison's ventilation tower is an important landmark in the city's skyline, and protection of this element, at the very least, would be desirable, if not essential.
f The Hampshire Police Headquarters, Romsey Road, built in 1966: This tower building projects well above the trees and skyline when viewed from many parts of Winchester and beyond, and presents a harsh outline in an otherwise attractive setting. Now needing work to make the original structure weatherproof, two schemes are under consideration: to refurbish and clad the structure with glass to continue its present use, or to demolish it and build a high density residential development on the site. Many people would like the block demolished to prevent what they consider is a mistake being continued, while others are concerned that the density of development proposed would be detrimental to the local infrastructure, and therefore affect the character of this part of Winchester. The future of the site remains to be decided.
a The Water Works, Romsey Road, was recently the subject of a proposal to develop the site for residential use, and although this was not found acceptable it seems very probable that another similar application will be made in the near future.