WELCOME to Saxon Gate... That's the new name chosen by Winchester civic chiefs for the area of the city currently undergoing a major regeneration.

The new name was unveiled at a meeting of the city council's Central Winchester Regeneration (CWR) committee for the project commonly known as Silver Hill 2.

Council leader Cllr Caroline Horrill said Saxon Gate had been proposed by a Winchester resident, and was among 98 options that had been suggested.

However Cllr Horrill said some of the other names could be used for new streets and public areas formed during the project.

The new name follows city council plans being unanimously approved to install hoardings around the disused Friarsgate Medical Centre to promote the project.

Daily Echo:

However, councillors on the council's planning committee joked the boards were not tall enough and should cover more of the building which was described as an "eyesore" by councillors.

The building is set to be demolished to make way for a park as part of the project, although council leader Cllr Caroline Horrill was unable to give a date for when that would happen.

During the meeting last Thursday, committee member Cllr Patrick Cunningham joked: "I think the architectural character of the building is far enhanced by the hoardings."

As previously reported, the council bought the Friarsgate Medical Centre building in December from developer THRE for an unknown sum. THRE, then known as Hendersons, was in partnership with the city council when the first Silver Hill scheme collapsed in 2016.

Tuesday's CWR committee meeting also heard an update on plans to renovate Coitbury House into new offices.

Daily Echo:

A report that went before the committee revealed although the building's structure was "solid", the windows and roof would need replacing. It adds: "Particular attention should be place on delivering a new roof line to reflect and blend in with the city skyline.

Early designs for the former 1960s medical services building in Friarsgate by architects Henley Halebrown were also released. They revealed the building will have a new tower added at the western end that would incorporate the entrance, and the southern side along "what will be Friarsgate Passage" will become the main facade to "reflect many of the Winchesterness design feature such as buttresses, a clear storey at roof height and external balconies".

In addition, the external fire escape on the south east corner will be replaced with "an enclosed turret staircase that... takes inspiration from the Winchesterness element", while a third floor of office space will be added.

Councillors questioned whether the lack of parking spaces at the site would impact on its "let-ability" to new tenants, but Cllr Horrill said there are two public car parks nearby, the council's decision would "make a statement" and she hoped that over time, the lack of parking spaces would become a new trend.