TWO businessmen are calling for a major change in how Winchester plans for the future.

The city should be rebranded and more actively promoted to investors, says Nicholas Craig-Harvey and Richard Cotton.

The pair argue that the planning process is broken and the city has seen the result with major delays to the Silver Hill and most recently the Station Approach schemes, put in question by a successful legal action by the City of Winchester Trust.

They argue that its economic future is being endangered and major underlying issues are not being addressed.

Mr Craig-Harvey, from Sparsholt, said: “Winchester has an ageing population with unaffordable housing and an economy that depends on the public sector and commuters.

“Any proposal for redevelopment is effectively opposed by people and organisations that feel ignored and excluded by the Council. There is too little of the right office space for new businesses and investors.”

The pair have been speaking to stakeholders and hope that their initiative will help spark debate.

They strongly argue that the current style of public consultation is not working and the city council needs to pursue more active collaboration with the public to draw up a long-term plan for the district.

“The process should be led by the city council with its independent strategic advisers with a budget and a defined timetable. The plan should be reviewed regularly with the stakeholders.”

As a result, they believe, the council will become “a partner and not a provoker” with stakeholders committed to its success.

The plan will show the direction of travel, highlight Winchester’s strengths and opportunities and recognise how to resolve its weaknesses.

“The commercial future of the whole district is important to all politicians – MPs and Councillors and it is particularly relevant now. It should be discussed openly and constructively, and not allowed to continue so ineffectively.”

Mr Cotton, from Bramdean, said a danger is that “business will suffer and the public sector will grow, revenues will drop and and it will get into a vicious circle. Winchester is getting a name as a place that is difficult to do business in. We have to break this logjam.”

The Chronicle was seeking comment from council leader Lucille Thompson.