Vivid submits application for 203 homes in Winklebury

Vivid has lodged the application with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to regenerate part of Winklebury, despite concerns from residents and councillors. 

The masterplan includes 203 homes, which Vivid claim are "highly sustainable and modern” - 40 per cent of which will be affordable housing.

The plan also includes a new community park on the former Fort Hill School site, a pre-school, a play facility, a new medical centre, multi-use community space and a retail hub that “meets local needs and reflects the changing retail landscape”.

READ MORE: Vivid shares plans for Winklebury regeneration

Vivid said the community space will be located on the Winklebury Way, in the Winklebury Centre - close to the health provision, the new shops, new homes and the church.

A spokesperson said: “It will offer a base to deliver a variety of activities to a wide range of groups, for both those in Winklebury and future residents of Manydown, for many years to come.”

Vivid said it has worked closely with the residents of Winklebury, the borough council and Hampshire County Council, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other key stakeholders, to create an “exciting new regeneration plan” that will “benefit the whole community”.

The most recent public engagement event took place in March, where the proposals were presented and Vivid answered questions.

READ MORE: Hundreds sign petition calling for council to pause Winklebury Regeneration due to concerns over planned health centre

The housing association said key changes to the proposals that resulted from this most recent consultation include increased parking provision for residents and visitors and the addition of a new multi-purpose community space.

However, concerns have already been raised by Winklebury councillors and a Hampshire County councillor from Basingstoke.

Cllr Alex Lee, Labour councillor for the Winklebury and Manydown ward, spoke at a recent cabinet meeting and has made his reservations clear about the scrutiny committee’s referral about the regeneration plan. He said the referral “seemed light” in terms of its requests to Vivid regarding the plan. 

READ MORE: Cabinet told to engage with Vivid despite reservations from Winklebury councillors

Cllr Arun Mummalaneni, who represents Basingstoke on the county council, has also criticised Vivid for moving ahead with the Winklebury Regeneration Project despite a motion to review the plans.

Council leader Simon Bound and Cllr Samuel Carr, cabinet member for homes and regeneration, have acknowledged that changes have been made by Vivid during the consultation process.

While, Cllr Carr said the decision to regenerate Winklebury is taken because of significant levels of unaddressed affordable housing in the area, Cllr Bound said Vivid has made significant changes to its plan based on the consultation.

READ MORE: Councillor criticises Vivid for moving ahead despite concerns

Meanwhile, Vivid has also revealed more details about its Winklebury plan.

A spokesperson said: “Alongside high-quality new homes that will replace ageing accommodation on the site, the proposals open up 4.5 hectares of previously inaccessible green space, to create a new public park.

“A fort-themed, sustainable play area will also be located here, which will be inclusive and accessible for all. New signposting and landmarking will recognise and celebrate the local heritage of Fort Hill. A modern, secure, new pre-school building will replace the current temporary facilities in this location.

“A new Winklebury Centre will feature street frontage and parking and retail units will benefit from enhanced facilities, providing opportunities for local business owners and bringing convenience for local shoppers.

An image shared by Vivid shows how Winklebury Centre will look like after the 203-home regeneration plan

“The new medical centre, designed in partnership with the ICB to meet local need, will be a multi-purpose, futureproof new building, in an accessible location on Winklebury Way. It will benefit from general practitioners, nurses, and additional healthcare staff to meet the needs of the population, such as mental health workers, health coaches and social prescribers.

“Sustainability will be at the forefront of the regeneration, with waste reduction in place during construction, a ‘fabric first’ approach to ensure energy efficiency in every home, air source heat pumps will be installed instead of traditional gas boiler systems and PV panels, also known as Solar electricity panels.”

Mike Shepherd, group development and new business director, at Vivid, said: “We received a fantastic response from the local public whilst we were creating our proposals and via our thorough consultation for Winklebury.

The feedback shared has come from a diverse range of voices in and around the area, enabling us to shape our plans for an exciting, modern new community, with much-needed affordable homes and new public spaces for people to come together and enjoy.

SEE ALSO: Resident to extend house on Tubbs Lane despite concerns for surrounding area

“Submitting the planning application presents a unique opportunity to access a significant level of grant funding from the Government, which will allow us to invest in regenerating and transforming central Winklebury.”

Visit vividhomes.co.uk/about-us/more-homes/developments/winklebury for more information about the project.

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.

Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.

Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.

Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.

Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.