More than 200 members of the public took the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the Station Approach project at a series of pre-planning engagement and information events held at the Old Registry Office this week.
The team from Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands architects, together with council officers working on the project, were on hand to speak to attendees and guide them through an exhibition of preliminary proposals for the development of the Carfax site and ‘concept stage’ design ideas for the public realm adjacent to the station.
Attendees were also able to look at a model of the proposed development giving an indication of the potential design and appearance of the scheme.
Feedback on the proposals was collected and is to be considered during the preparation of an outline planning application that is due to be submitted before the end of March.
Councillor Steve Miller, Chair of the Cabinet (Station Approach) Committee said,
“It was great to see so many residents, visitors and commuters at the information sessions and to share the latest updates with them.
The feedback we received at the sessions will be collated and published in a report next month and will be useful in guiding this project through the next steps. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to share their views with us.”
The Station Approach development is set to bring 140,000 square feet of Grade A office space - home for 1000 jobs - along with a further 17,000 square feet of supporting retail, café and restaurant space to Winchester and it is estimated it will provide an £81m boost to the local economy. The investment in the area is intended to make the important gateway to the city of Winchester a more welcoming area.
The council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee will discuss the project on Wednesday 20 March with the council’s Station Approach Cabinet Committee hoping to approve the concept designs and confirm the submission of an outline planning application for the Carfax site, by the end of March.
The exhibition panels, model and feedback forms will be on display at Winchester Discovery Centre until Sunday 3 March and can also be found on the council’s website: winchester.gov.uk/projects/public-engagement-and-consultation
The closing date for feedback is 12 noon on Monday 4 March.
