Silver Hill rival to return with new bid (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Silver Hill rival to return with new bid

3:27pm Wednesday 6th June 2007 in Silver Hill By Warwick Payne

A RIVAL bidder wanting to transform the Silver Hill area in Winchester is pressing on with its plans - by going back to the drawing board.

London and Henley believes it might obtain planning permission faster by changing its proposals, rather than pursuing its first design.

Its original scheme, dubbed Middle Brook, would have seen a five-storey block comprising 133 homes and 13 shops.

The proposed site is occupied by the King's Walk shopping centre and Winchester's Antiques Market, which are both still trading, and owned by London and Henley.

The plans were submitted last year, with the company saying it could revamp the area much faster than rival developer, Thornfield Properties.

Thornfield has been in talks with Winchester City Council for several years to revitalise the area between Friarsgate and The Broadway.

Its larger £100m scheme includes 35 shops, 264 homes and a replacement bus station.

However, London and Henley owns part of the site, and has pledged to fight any compulsory purchase order.

It added that such legal wrangling would be unnecessary with its own scheme, making it easier to deliver.

Back in March, the city council's planning committee granted permission for Thornfield's proposals.

It met again last month to discuss London and Henley's plans. Because the authority took so long to examine them, the firm had already requested a public inquiry with a Government inspector.

As a result, the committee was not deciding whether to grant permission, but what its stance should be at the inquiry.

Planning officers slated the five-storey block, saying it would look "alien" in Winchester. Councillors then voted unanimously against the plans.

This week, London and Henley decided to shelve its original scheme in favour of the revised design.

The firm's architects are now drawing up the plans, with the exact changes currently under wraps.

London and Henley's development consultant, Karen Hawes, said: "We listened to the concerns that councillors raised at their meeting in May, and believe we can make changes to the scheme that will address those concerns.

"We also believe that L&H has a significant amount of local community and public support for the approach that it took in its original application in relation to height, massing and safeguarding Winchester's historic setting."

It is expected that the revised scheme could be submitted within a few weeks.

"That will still be quicker than going to an appeal, which could take several months," she added.