More changes to Silver Hill development (From Hampshire Chronicle)

More changes to Silver Hill development

11:48am Thursday 1st February 2007 in Silver Hill By Andrew Napier

THE developer aiming to revitalise part of the city centre has amended its plans in the light of mixed feedback from residents and community groups.

Thornfield Properties wants to transform the area between Friarsgate and The Broadway in a £100m facelift.

The project, dubbed the Silver Hill Renaissance, would provide new homes, shops, and a replacement bus station.

Thornfield and Winchester City Council have held talks over several years to thrash out the details of the ambitious plan, which has come in for much criticism since it was made public.

Last summer, the developer asked residents for their views, and sought planning permission to get on with the scheme.

Many people who have expressed opinions on the plan say they are worried about the proposed buildings being too big and densely packed.

Concerns were also raised about the architecture and extra traffic in Friarsgate.

To allay their fears, Thornfield is reducing the size of its largest block, and trimming its height in some places. As a result, the amount of homes being created has fallen from 282 to 264.

However, the number of affordable properties has risen from 99 to 106.

Thornfield made the change to meet local authority guidelines calling for 40 per cent of homes in large developments to be affordable.

Council leader, Cllr George Beckett, said: "I am very pleased with the thorough consultation that Thornfield Properties carried out.

"I hope that the amended plans go some way to satisfying a number of the comments made."

A spokesman for Thornfield said the changes had delayed its plans by several months.

It now hopes to secure planning permission later this year for the project, which is expected to take four years to build.

However, before any decision is made, the firm is inviting residents to view the amended plans again.

To illustrate the changes, it has built a scale wooden model, which goes on public show tomorrow (Friday).

It is being displayed at Winchester's tourist information centre in The Broadway until Monday, February 26.

Thornfield staff will also be at the venue for two events where residents can quiz them about the scheme.

The first is between 4 and 7.30pm next Wednesday (February 7), and the second is from 10am to 1pm the following day (Thursday).

Thornfield's project manager, Riccardo Mai, said: "We believe that these final changes to the scheme will further assure the public that our proposals will add to the vitality and character of Winchester."

* For more details, visit www.silverhill-winchester.info, or the council's planning office in Chesil Street, Winchester.