Cabinet agrees to acquire Silver Hill land (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Cabinet agrees to acquire Silver Hill land

3:09pm Wednesday 17th October 2007 in Silver Hill By Warwick Payne

COUNCIL chiefs have agreed to round up the remaining land needed to redevelop the Silver Hill district of Winchester.

They hope to secure as much as possible by negotiating with current owners. However, the Cabinet agreed today (October 17) to prepare to submit compulsory purchase orders if the gentle approach fails.

The £100m plan to revamp the area between Friarsgate and The Broadway, known as the Silver Hill Renaissance, has been in the pipeline for years.

Developer, Thornfield Properties, secured planning permission for the overhaul seven months ago.

Its scheme includes a new bus station and shops, 533 parking spaces, and around 260 flats of which 105 would be "affordable".

Before work starts, Winchester City Council needs to secure the land. Much of it has already been acquired, but some parts are outstanding.

They include the Kings Walk shopping arcade and Winchester Antiques Market, which both remain open and are owned by property firm London and Henley.

It has expressed an interest in redeveloping part of the Silver Hill site, or the entire area if possible.

The firm sought permission to revamp part of it earlier this year, but withdrew the scheme in favour of a revised plan, which is likely to be submitted before Christmas.

Before today's meeting, a company spokesman said: "Any move by Winchester City Council to compulsorily purchase London and Henley property will be resisted.

"The company still maintains its view that it is quicker and more cost-effective to involve London and Henley in the overall plan for the redevelopment of Silver Hill."

At the meeting, Alan Weeks from the Winchester City Residents Association, asked if London and Henley's plans might delay the Thornfield scheme.

Council leader, Cllr George Beckett, said a compulsory purchase order could be made even if an application from London and Henley was outstanding.

Cabinet members then discussed the finer details of acquiring the land behind closed doors.

They decided to push ahead with trying to obtain it by negotiation, and use compulsory purchase powers if talks fail.