THE regeneration of central Winchester has moved a step closer after councillors outlined the next steps.

It comes following the first meeting of the Central Winchester Regeneration – also known as Silver Hill 2 – committee since the planning guidance was agreed.

As previously reported, the supplementary planning document (SPD) was adopted by the city council last month, despite concerns over the weakening of some of the language.

This week councillors voted to begin the process of delivering the scheme, agreeing to commission further work on the options to realise the vision for the city, and setting up the first advisory panels.

Those panels will focus on the refurbishment of Coitbury House, ‘meanwhile uses’ for site in the Silver Hill area, and improvements to the lower High Street and Broadway.

Among the meanwhile uses identified by the council is the re-letting of Coitbury House as offices, the use of the Antiques Market by a local children’s theatre company, and use of space above Poundland by a gin distillery.

The council also aims to hold a series of events with the project’s expert archaeology panel, led by Professor Martin Biddle, to explain the scheme approach to the city’s history.