The Inquiry ordered by the Secretary of State has been adjourned until mid-September to allow the completion of documentation and withdrawal of objection by retailer Sainsbury's.
Winchester City Council approved plans for the proposed development of the 2.3 hectare site in 2008. Plans for the site included 287 new homes, 100,000 square feet of new retail space and new community facilities.
If the decision of the Secretary of State is to confirm the compulsory purchase order the development is expected to begin in 2013. "The site will not be developed all in one go, but in a small number of phases," said Winchester City Council.
“The current state of the Silver Hill area is a wasted opportunity in a city which is highly attractive to retail and other commercial enterprises," said Steve Tilbury, corporate director of the Council, according to barristers Landmark Chambers. "The Scheme will introduce modern retail units to improve the range of shopping choices available locally without detracting from the existing retail offer."
In support of the regeneration, the Council said that the scheme should go ahead because it is in line with the Government's policy as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
"[Government policy] is for town centres to play a key part in driving economic growth and for the planning system to be proactive and energetic in supporting proposals that will create prosperity once other material issues have been properly considered, as they have been in this case," Tilbury said at the Inquiry.
"The Scheme is therefore entirely consistent with Government policy and the local priority of regenerating the area which has been established through an extensive process of local consultation, debate, and dialogue,” he said.
If the documentation is completed before the middle of September, the inquiry will be closed in writing. However, if the order is not confirmed the Council will have to consider other ways to achieve the comprehensive redevelopment of the area.
