These are sites which have an impact on the community and may have the potential to deliver benefits to that community through the development. The significance of development may not arise because of the scale of the development proposed but be a result of the impact on the local character of the place into which it is to be introduced.

The City Council will determine whether a development site qualifies as Significant Development. We therefore encourage early engagement to determine if a development site requires a concept masterplan as part of any pre-application engagement.  Please contact us if you would like further information.

Concept Masterplans are part of the process of design. They establish the vision and aspiration for a new development, explore the different possible scenarios, engage with all stakeholders to refine the development proposal, and finally identify how the development will be managed for the future. Each Concept Masterplan must be bespoke to its site and there is no threshold suggested over which this approach is to be followed; please see the Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 21st June, 2023, 9.30 am - Winchester City Council

Irrespective of size, all significant development will be considered individually, unless a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been adopted for the site so as not to add unnecessarily to the financial burdens on development as supported by National Policy. The Council will seek to engage with landowner and developers through this master planning approach as part of a Planning Performance Agreement.

Concept Masterplans engage with local communities before any development proposals are finalised or agreed with the City Council. They offer local communities’ ownership of the developments within their areas and will ensure that those developments are fit for the future, long after the construction has been completed.

Once a Concept Masterplan has been agreed with the City Council it will be formally endorsed, becoming Council Policy. This offers developers greater certainty and confidence in the success of the planning process.

Significant Development promoted without a Concept Masterplan will be resisted.