Civic chiefs seek more time over Silver Hill (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Civic chiefs seek more time over Silver Hill

5:20pm Friday 4th December 2009 in Silver Hill By Andrew Napier

WINCHESTER civic chiefs and the would-be developer of the Silver Hill scheme are to give themselves more flexibility to press on with the £100 million scheme.

Under original plans, December 2009 was the agreed month after which both parties could walk away from the massive project for shops, homes and bus station.

However after discussions with Thornfield a new long-stop date has been agreed at December 31 2012.

A council spokeswoman said that technically the original date of December 31 2009 was being retained.

She said: “We are keeping the original long-stop date but both parties have agreed not to use it. We have written to each other, knowing we have these rights but are not going to use them.”

She added: “If we get to that point and we haven’t been able to proceed, that is the point we say ‘is this possible, is it still viable?’ Then either side could pull out.”

The council and Thornfield are in the process of assembling the land, if necessary by compulsory purchase. One of the major landowners, London and Henley, has repeatedly stated publicly that it will oppose all efforts at a CPO.

It wishes to develop its land, which includes property of Middle Brook Street.

Meanwhile Thornfield is poised soon to pay the city council a £1 million bond towards reimbursing its costs, particularly the expense of CPO.

The spokesman said the development was still on course: “It will be a significant step when we get the bond.

“It’s still moving serenely.”