Silver Hill set for inquiry (From Daily Echo)

Winchester's Silver Hill development set for inquiry

1:50pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Winchester

Plans for the Silver Hill devleopment

THE proposed Silver Hill development in Winchester is likely to go to a public inquiry this year.

The council revealed a plan had been agreed with developers Henderson Global Investors UK for the compulsory purchase of land between Friarsgate and The Broadway.

But councillors were told the compulsory purchase order (CPO) had received 29 objections from residents and pressure groups.

Officers told councillors a public inquiry into the justification of the CPO was a likely result of the complaints, and could happen in May or June.

The inquiry would be headed by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. But it could only determine whether the CPO is a reasonable use of council powers and could not settle any matters of compensation to affected parties.

If approved, the £100m scheme would deliver 200 homes, shops, a bus station and a doctor’s surgery.