RESIDENTS' wishes could be granted as a city council chief has said that a food store is achievable on the Bar End depot site.

Winchester City Council is proposing to sell the land in Bar End Road for redevelopment, although there is no public timetable to any sale.

Janet Berry, of the Highcliffe Forum for Community Action, presented a petition to the council at a meeting on Wednesday last week calling for community engagement to determine potential uses of the site.

The petition containing 350 signatures also said it should include discussion around the provision of a food store, housing and other community facilities, including activities and amenities identified in the Highcliffe Community Plan.

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Ms Berry said: “It is essential from the local community's perspective that before anything else happens that there is a properly funded and fully inclusive engagement exercise. This would allow exploration of the site's potential to meet local needs and aspirations. Local people are acutely aware that this is the only major piece of land remaining undeveloped in a neighbourhood with limited public transport that lacks essential services and amenities. This is possibly the final chance to enable everyday needs to be met and improve the quality of life and wellbeing of residents.

“Local people are keen to get involved but also realise that this is a two-way process, a discussion to work out what is possible. It would enable new ideas to come forward taking account of the impact of Covid-19, helping the community to adapt to changing circumstances. It would empower the local community and build its resilience.”

She urged the council to take on board the Town Forum’s new Winchester Vision which encourages access to essential goods and services within a 15-minute walk or cycle.

Cllr Charles Radcliffe said that in 2020 he, Cllr Chris Edwards and former councillor Lynda Murphy carried out a survey of Highcliffe and Bar End residents. People said they wanted to see a food shop, with other popular ideas including green space and a footpath connecting Highcliffe with the new sports and leisure centre and community rooms.

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Cabinet member for housing and asset management Cllr Kelsie Learney told Ms Berry: “The indication that the site was going to be available has led to a number of potential users and development proposals coming forward, many of which fit well with community aspirations, others not. Some of which were commercially viable and others not.

“It is important to recognise that no one site can deliver all the aspirations of the local community. From what we have seen so far, a food store is eminently achievable as is a route through to the leisure centre and potentially it may be possible to achieve other residents’ goals as well.”

Deputy leader of the council Neil Cutler said that officers are planning to discuss public engagement on the future of the site this week.

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