A MAJOR attempt to get new ideas from the public for the Silver Hill redevelopment has begun.

The launch of the Central Winchester Regeneration community planning weekend took place at the Guildhall last Friday.

The community planning weekend on March 24-25 is set aside for workshops and sessions for people to put forward their ideas.

The city council is attempting to resurrect the multi-million-pound city-centre revamp following its collapse last year.

The £150million redevelopment involving flats and shops was hugely controversial, sparking major demonstrations including a 1,000-person march in 2015.

At the launch, Cllr Victoria Weston said: “The regeneration of central Winchester is of prime importance to the city council and we are delighted to be working with JTP and their team on this important project to prepare a supplementary planning document for the area.

“This document will set a vision for the future development of central Winchester and the way in which land can be used to rejuvenate this prominent part of the city.”

Charles Campion of JTP Architects said: “We want people to contact us, to speak to us directly. It is about people working together to build up a consensus vision.”

He added that a banner would be put up on the High Street in early March to promote the weekend, as well as a roadshow beginning on March 5 at Winchester Sunday Market which will visit Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham and Winchester train station.

The Friday event will take place from 1.45pm to 5pm, and on Saturday from 10.45am to 4pm.

There will then be a report-back presentation on April 4 at 6.45pm at the Guildhall.

The rundown area has been eyed for redevelopment for the last 20 years, but obtaining an acceptable scheme has been difficult.

Many early proposals such as youth facilities and a cinema fell by the wayside with developers such as Thornfield saying they were unviable.

There will also be a roadshow beginning March 5 at Winchester Sunday Market.

It will then visit Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham and Winchester train station from March 6.

The £150 million redevelopment involving flats and shops was hugely controversial, sparking major demonstrations including a 1,000-person march in 2015.

JTP will report back to council on April 4.

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