Big plans for one of Winchester's biggest neighbourhoods (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Big plans for one of Winchester's biggest neighbourhoods

1:40pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in Winchester By Wesley Rock

A PIONEERING and far-reaching planning document will decide the future of one of Winchester 's largest neighbourhoods.

City councillors have approved the Stanmore Planning Framework, which will shape regeneration and development over the next 10 years. The city council hopes it will be the first in a series for the whole of central Winchester.

Council bosses will use the document along with its Vision for Winchester plan, which aims to improve quality of life by identifying areas for regeneration and ideas such as new housing or open spaces.

Cllr Rose Prowse, whose represents Stanmore, said: “I really welcome this kind of joined-up thinking”. But senior council officers stressed this was only the first stage. Speaking at the Winchester Town Forum last Wednesday, Steve Tilbury, the council's corporate director, said: “This document would not have formal planning status as such, at this stage what we're talking about is working with the neighbourhood but we would then draw up Planning Framework 2 which would have formal planning status.”

The cost for the plan is set at £20,000, with the county council stumping up £5,000.

As Stanmore is likely to be the site for several new council homes in the future, £10,000 in funding will come from the New Homes budget.

Council chiefs hope the planning framework will be delivered by the end of January 2013, saying the timescale is tight but on track.