PLANNING permission has been granted for the major regeneration of Winklebury that includes construction of more than 200 homes, a pre-school, and a medical centre with a pharmacy.

Vivid housing association is planning to build 203 highly sustainable new homes, along with 4.5 acres of public open green space, a new pre-school, a community centre, a medical centre and pharmacy, public play area, and a new retail hub with parking.

Councillors voted to approve the plans at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, November 8.

The original application was submitted in July 2022, with Vivid making an amendment in January 2023 after receiving stakeholder feedback.

READ MORE: Vivid shares plans for Winklebury regeneration

Following are some of the key features of the development as described by Vivid:

  • Flats, houses and bungalows in a mix of tenures. High quality and modern, the homes will replace ageing accommodation and will include modular building which is better for the environment.

  • The proposals will open up 4.5 hectares of previously inaccessible green space to create a new public park. A fort-themed, sustainable play area will be located here, and new signposting and landmarking will celebrate and recognise the heritage of Fort Hill. The extensive landscaping will provide wildlife habitat with a range of native British shrubs, trees and grassland, increasing biodiversity.

  • A secure pre-school building will replace the current temporary facilities and a new community centre will be a flexible base for a range of activities.

  • The Winklebury hub will be replaced with a new centre with street frontage, and retail units will provide opportunity for local business owners and bring convenience for local shoppers.

  • The new medical centre will be a multi-purpose building with doctors, nurses, mental health provision and social prescribers. The centre is sized to meet community need and is supported by health providers.

  • 374 parking spaces will include disabled parking bays and electric vehicle charging.

Vivid added that sustainability will be at the forefront of the development, with waste reduction in place during construction, a ‘fabric-first’ approach to ensure energy efficiency in every home, air source heat pumps which are four times more efficient than traditional gas boiler systems – and the use of PV solar panels.

SEE ALSO: Opening date announced for new bar and lounge in Basingstoke

Tristan Samuels, group development and new business director at Vivid said: “We have worked closely with the Winklebury community and other stakeholders to create a regeneration plan that will truly benefit everyone.

"As well as providing modern, future-proofed new homes for existing residents and new ones, we’ll deliver nature-friendly green spaces, community facilities, shops and a medical centre to meet local need. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to improve and enhance Winklebury for generations to come and we look forward to getting started.”

For more information and ongoing updates about the regeneration of Winklebury, visit vividhomes.co.uk/about-us/more-homes/developments/winklebury.