CIVIC chiefs have said that they welcome plans for projects such as a £20million permanent ice rink in Winchester after initially casting doubt on the idea.
The plans, revealed in the Daily Echo last week, outlined the vision to bring the first Olympic-sized ice rink on the south coast to Winchester, as well as a 120-bed hotel, restaurant, coffee house and convenience store.
There would also be tenpin bowling and indoor caving featured within the arena development.
Privately-funded by company Aethos Developments, the project, estimated to cost £20million, would be located at the council-owned depot site in Bar End, near to the planned Winchester Sports and Leisure centre.
Following a statement issued by Winchester City Council last week, which stated that the land was not on the market, a spokeswoman said: "We understand that Aethos Developments are proposing a development on the depot site which would be adjacent to the new sport and leisure centre. We welcome approaches such as these and are looking to the evolving urban design framework to scope the future of the whole area."
However, the spokeswoman repeated that the site is not currently up for sale, adding: "No negotiations have taken place to date with Aethos Development to secure the site for their proposed facilities. Any future development would be subject to the land being marketed for sale or lease and the submission of a planning application."
As previously reported, those behind the project say the site would be self-sufficient in power but will also provide the new leisure centre with sufficient power to heat the swimming pools and buildings, which, it is claimed, will save the local authority £200,000 year in running costs.
However, the plans for a Winchester ice rink follow a number of failed bids in the past decade to bring ice rinks to the south coast.
In 2013, Eastleigh Borough Council immediately shelved plans when the issue was raised at a council meeting due to an ice rink not being viable.
Developer Colin Warburg also submitted plans to build a £10m ice rink in Southampton back in 2010, only for them to fall through two years later due to lack of funding.
CONTACT ME
t: 01962 860836
e: michael.seymour@dailyecho.co.uk
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