WILL the city council pull it off this time?

Plans for the Central Winchester Regeneration Project, formerly known as Silver Hill, are set to be unveiled to the public.

Work could start as soon as February next year – so long as locals are pleased and cabinet members give permission.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, member for housing and asset management said: "We will be sharing our proposals to breathe new life into the city centre very soon, and can’t wait to hear what people think when they see the positive impacts of their consultation feedback on our plans.

"This part of Winchester has been underused for too long and this is our chance to change that. The proposals that we will be sharing represent many years of hard work – it is so important we get this right.

"The future prosperity and economic health of the city depends on it.”

Draft proposals will go before cabinet on November 10.

If signed off, officers will then host a number of public consultation events.

A virtual exhibition is planned and there will be four public online consultation sessions and a questionnaire for people to share their feedback.

For anyone not able to access the internet, copies of the all the information and feedback forms will be sent by post on request.

Leader of the council Cllr Lucille Thompson said: "We have already conducted numerous consultation events to come up with these plans.

"The proposals are very much based on what the community has asked for.

"We are excited to be sharing these proposals, and excited to be making firm decisions as this regeneration scheme starts to take its form."

The development area includes Winchester bus station, Kings Walk, the old Friarsgate Medical Centre and Coitbury House.

It is set to be mixed-use, offering new affordable homes, flexible workspaces, a thriving night-time economy and visually pleasing public spaces.

Head of programme Veryan Lyons said: "We are looking to retain the younger generations.

"Currently, they will finish their studies in the city and move away, sometimes returning when they are older and often not at all.

"This is something we want to change – the project has to deliver. It will be a catalyst of vibrancy for the city."

The Silver Hill project first came to fruition in 1996.