Council engages with local community on Bar End Depot site uses
Winchester City Council is asking people living and working in the Highcliffe area – including a wide range of community and faith groups, schools, sports and business organisations – to share their views on the future uses of the Bar End Depot site in Highcliffe.
The Depot site – which has formed part of a more extensive engagement process in recent years – is now vacant and no longer needed for this use. Covering some 2.8 acres and located between the Winchester Sport & Leisure Park and Milland Road, it forms an important gateway to the city along the south-eastern side of Winchester close to the M3 motorway.
Plans to market the site were approved by Cabinet in October 2020, but the pandemic put the initiative on hold for a year. The Highcliffe community was invited to comment upon the council’s revised marketing strategy in March this year at an event held at the Winchester Sport & Leisure Park. ‘Stage One’ marketing was undertaken during the summer of 2022 and attracted a long-list of almost 50 expressions of interest. These uses will now be assessed in terms of the economic, social and financial benefits they are likely to contribute.
The council is planning to share an overview of these uses at a community drop-in event for local people to be held on:
- Date/Time: Thursday 24 November, 15:00-20:00
- Location: Foyer area, Winchester Sport & Leisure Park, Bar End Rd, Winchester SO23 9NR
This event will provide an opportunity to meet key members of the council’s delivery team for the Bar End Depot site and to understand the potential uses which could include:
- Retail outlets, including a convenience store or other outlets
- Different types of homes, including retirement or senior living accommodation
- Light industrial and other employment uses
- Healthcare provision (any facility would be private but would cater for NHS patients)
- A mix of uses
Cllr Martin Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management at Winchester City Council, said:
"We’ve had a very encouraging response from a wide range of partners outlining potential uses for the Depot site. Now we want to hear from local people about the different options so that we can reflect their views in the next stage of the project. We’re particularly keen to hear from people who live or work in Highcliffe, but everyone is very welcome to come along and find out more.”
For those unable to attend the event in person on Thursday 24 November, the council is encouraging people to visit its website www.winchester.gov.uk/bar-end-development, which will go live with information on the same day. You can also submit a feedback form online until Thursday 8 December or alternatively, you can send feedback via email to bar-end@winchester.gov.uk . All views will be considered and used to help inform the council’s final decision on uses. Those without access to the internet, should write to the address below and the council will arrange for the materials to be sent out in the post.
Bar End Engagement
Estates Department, Winchester City Council
City Offices, Colebrook Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8LJ
The Highcliffe Community Plan and Bar End Framework which cover the wider Bar End area set out ways that the site could provide a range of complementary uses that support the priorities included in the Council Plan 2020-2025.
Following a decision on a particular type of use or uses, the aim is for the council to bring forward a planning application within 12-to-18 months of a preferred bidder or bidders being selected.