Henderson Global Investors’ Silver Hill development in Winchester could pose a significant threat to the success of the city’s High Street, a public inquiry has heard.
Compulsory purchase orders for the £135m scheme to rejuvenate 5.7 acres of the city centre were being examined at an inquiry this week.
Henderson – which rescued the site from collapsed Thornfield Properties – and its partner, Winchester city council – are seeking to build 287 homes, 100,000 sq ft of shops, 18,000 sq ft of offices, a bus station, car park and public spaces.
David Elvin QC, counsel for the city council, said: “The proposal is to comprehensively redevelop a run-down and underused brownfield site. It will bring a significant commercial benefit to Winchester, and could increase potential shopper spend by 27%, stopping shoppers leaking away to other places such as Basingstoke.”
But local economist Julian Chisholm countered: “The High Street is under significant threat to its economic viability from Silver Hill if it goes ahead in its current form.”
John De Stefano’s London & Henley, which owns freeholds and leaseholds within the development area, is also objecting to the scheme.
The inquiry was due to finish this week.
