A LONG-running major scheme to improve part of Winchester could provide a nearly £300m boost, if plans come to fruition.

On Monday last week attendees of a Central Winchester Regeneration Open Forum were told that over a 15-year period, once the scheme, also known as Silver Hill, is approved, the local economy and the public purse could benefit from £296m, of that £48m could boost the public purse.

According to project chiefs between 300 and 400 jobs could be created in a number of sectors contributing £83m to the local economy, along with £118m from increased footfall and £45m in overnight tourism.

Jennifer Newsham, director at property advisors JLL, said: “The increase footfall element focuses on day tourism, and we have assumed that we would be able to increase day tourist numbers by five per cent and that will result in an additional spend in the local economy. We believe that through the increased leisure and cultural opportunities as part of the Central Winchester Regeneration development it would create a much more attractive place which will increase the number of people wanting to visit your city.”

The forum was told that it is assumed that a new hotel would be delivered as part of development which would “accommodate new guests in Winchester” and not displace “existing demand from hotels already in the city”.

It is projected that reduced commuting by creating “live, work and play vibrant city centre experience” would provide a £2m boost. Ms Newsham added: “We expect to keep more residents local, the idea being that you can live and work in Winchester and not having to commute outside of the city.”

As part of the scheme, typical office space will not be built, but instead ‘worker spaces and creative hubs’ are likely to be created.

Patrick Davies, former city councillor, asked whether the proposals that are being put forward now will actually deliver jobs that people will be able and want to take, considering the number of retail and hospitality positions currently available.

Veryan Lyons, head of programme for Central Winchester Regeneration, said: “The jobs that we are looking to create, they fill a niche gap, they fill a creative gap. We are looking to bring other opportunities to the site, we are looking to attract the creators, the makers, the artists.”

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for housing and asset management, said that it needs to be recognised that the current job projection might not reflect what might happen over the longer term.

Concerns were raised by Chris Gillingham about the lack of bus station in the city, but Cllr Martin Tod said that council were working on how the train station could be used as a place for connecting bus services.

The meeting was told that a procurement process will be held to find a development partner, with a document outlining this going before the scrutiny committee on December 6.