Green Economic Development Strategy

The Green Economic Development Strategy (GEDS), sets out a framework and overall direction to influence the development of the district’s economy, positioning it as a sustainable place in which to live, work, learn and visit.

The accompanying action plan focuses on activity that will take place up to 2027. It will be delivered collaboratively with Winchester City Council officers working alongside stakeholders and businesses from across the district.

You can download the GEDS and the 2024-2027 GEDS Action Plan at the right hand side of the page.

To get involved in the delivery of the Green Economic Development Action Plan, please contact our Economic Development Officer (Green Growth), Suzanne Dixon at sdixon@winchester.gov.uk.

Connected plans and commitment to carbon neutrality

The GEDS is closely connected with several other strategies across the council, including the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan. This plan is the the council’s approach to carbon neutrality and focuses on five pathways to how the council, alongside its partners, organisations, and local businesses, could work towards reaching carbon neutrality.

It will take the effort, commitment, and action of a wide group of individuals, businesses and organisations to achieve the aims and objectives set out in these plans, which is why the 2024-2027 GEDS Action Plan and revised governance structure aims to facilitate this interdependency with other strategies and organisations.

The GEDS policy themes

Six policy themes are outlined in the GEDS have been considered in the development of the 2024-2027 GEDS Action Plan. You can read a summary of the actions for each of these themes below:

Green infrastructure, bio-diversity and renewable energy generation
- Deliver a programme to increase solar PV installation on large commercial and industrial buildings across the district.
- Draft and have approved a strategic and district wide approach to renewable energy generation.
- Support WinACC's Community Solar Support Scheme through UKSPF.
- Develop a Local Area Energy Plan.
- Participate in the DEFRA test and trial initiative through the Hampshire Environmental Land Management Scheme Board.
- Participate in the Local Natural Recovery Strategy.
- Deliver Go Greener Faster, council project grants to support community and voluntary sector in reducing carbon emissions.
- Co-ordinate Rural England Prosperity Funding Programme, enouraging Net Zero Infrastructure project grants.
Innovative Business & Economy
- Produce digital sector inward investment prospectus.
- Deliver a programme of low carbon assessments / business audits to identify measures that will reduce carbon emissions.
- Deliver a green business grants fund to reduce energy consumption and transport emissions and increase renewable energy regeneration.
- Investiagte suitable spaces to to launch new green and associated businesses with acceleration capabilities.
- Produce a technical advice note to encourage the repurposing retail space.
- Deliver a mentoring scheme, with a focus on a green business practices.
- Maintain a register of vacant properties and pop-up spaces promoted to cultural and creative sectors.
- Facilitate the Greener Futures Partnership to support deliverables.
- Further develop the Sustainable Business Network.
Skills & competitiveness
- Deliver a Digital Growth Factory which includes a digital productivity programme for SMEs through UKSPF.
- Secure employment and skills plans for major developments that encourage developers to develop green skills.
- Deliver Digital Skills programme for residents through UKSPF.
- Deliver Winchester District Jobs and Opportunities Fair.
- Deliver a retrofit skills improvement programme in partnership with Hampshire County Council and the Retrofit Academy through UKSPF.
- Support the Hampshire Rural Forum Skills Needs and Training Sub Group.
- Support installation of low carbon technology training bays through UKSPF.
Affordable, low carbon housing
- Support the development of new, sustainable homes in Micheldever, Winnall and North Whiteley.
- Deliver retrofit campaign through Social Housing Decarbonisation Funding.
- Work with Warmer Homes Consortium to deliver the Council target of 122 properties.
- Launch and promote the Great British Insulation Scheme and Connected for Warmth.
Connected, public & electric transport
- Deliver a plan for the next phase of EV charging infrastructure strategy.
- Deliver a feasibility for electric vehicle car club scheme.
- Collaborate with Hampshire County Council to deliver Active Travel Schemes.
- Micro-consolidation Trial to support 'last mile’, ‘first mile’ and ‘only mile’ deliveries.
- Sustain and encourage use of local bus services through BSIP+ funding.
Culture, creative & visitor economy
- Implement the district-wide Cultural Strategy 2024-2030.
- Deliver the Sustainable Tourism Strategy.
- Deliver the West of Waterlooville Public Art Programme.
- Create a new sustainable operating policy for City Street Markets.
- Co-ordinate the establishment and operation of the Cultural Network Group.

Last Updated: Thursday 31 October 2024

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Green Economic Development Strategy

Connected plans and commitment to carbon neutrality

The GEDS policy themes

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