Trust seeks clarity over Silver Hill scheme (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Trust seeks clarity over Silver Hill scheme

3:15pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in Silver Hill By Andrew Napier

The City of Winchester Trust is seeking answers over the future of the crisis-hit Silver Hill scheme.

The major development has been thrown into doubt after the collapse of part of the Thornfield business empire, the developer undertaking the scheme in partnership with the city council.

The trust is calling on the city council to be clear about the future of the £100 million scheme.

In its latest newsletter, the trust said: “We all agreed that our general support for this redevelopment should be maintained. It cannot be in the best interests of this historic city for the dilapidation and neglect of such a significant area to continue indefinitely.

"We still do not know what the city council’s next move will be. The council actually owns very little of the site and it was always dependent on the active co-operation of a would-be developer.

“It is certainly a depressing thought that we could face several more years of inactivity as the whole area grows more and more neglected and unloved. We are now pressing the council for a full explanation of what real options they now have. We were encouraged throughout the earlier discussions that the significant mix of new housing was retained, including rented housing for local needs. We will be keen to ensure that any new changes retain this significant mix of housing to bring vitality and life to that area, which should not become a ghost town after the shops close.

“Once the council has carried out its current review with its professional advisers, the trust will look further at how we can help to move things forward.”