HOT ISSUES
The current "Hot Issues" for the City of Winchester Trust, are:
GOVERNMENT PLANNING DOCUMENTS
The three Planning documents that are now relevant to the work of the Trust are:
- PPS 1 The basic planning document
- PPS 3 Housing
- PPS 6 Shopping and city centres.
The Trust response to these new documents is being prepared and will be reported on the web site when it is available.
SILVER HILL
On 27 March 2007 Winchester City Council granted planning permission for the Silver Hill scheme. Both councillors who opposed the scheme represented Wards of Winchester City. It is likely that there will be appeals against the scheme, and a quick result is not expected.
The exhibition information is still available on the Silver Hill website. The Trust completed its response to the first planning application for Silver Hill on 30th August 2006.On 31st January 2007 amendments to the planning application for this development were submitted to the City Council. The Trust reviewed the redesign and presented by letter a further response to the Planning Department on 3rd March 2007.
WINCHESTER- TOWARDS OUR FUTURE
A document has been generated by the City Council called Winchester- Towards Our Future which can be downloaded as a pdf document. The Trust should like to have the views of anyone who would like to send them in as the City Council has invited the Trust to a meeting on March 13th to discuss it.
Patricia Edwards
WINCHESTER CITY CENTRE
During November 2006 there have been separate informal meetings of representatives of the CWT Council and senior members of the Winchester City Council, and also with senior representatives of the developers Thornfields.
It is encouraging that both these meetings revealed a degree of flexibility on all sides, and confirmation that the critical comments of the CWT, other organisations and the public were being addressed.
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
The need to increase the housing density within the Wards of Winchester is in danger of becoming prey to developers who see great opportunities for development, but who care little for the character of the City.
The Trust's Development Control Committe considers Planning Applications and their comments on particularly important or controversial Planning Applications are regularly posted on this website.
TRANSPORT
Urban roads, parking and public transport remain of constant concern to the CWT. Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council are reviewing traffic in Winchester. The CWT is urging that there should be wider consultation before the report is published.
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
The Trust is very concerned that the Government's South East Regional organisation, which is already in being in Guildford as a non-elected body having considerable, and increasing, powers over our County and District Councils, will not be in either Winchester's or Hampshire's best interest. The Trust is keeping in close touch with Hampshire County Council on this matter.
BUSHFIELD DOWN(formerly known as Bushfield Camp)
The Trust is in close touch with the County Council and District Councils to ensure that the conflicting schemes for Park and Ride, recreation and housing do not in any way compromise Bushfield Down's important contribution to the setting of Winchester.
