Local watchdogs in Winchester are pushing to keep key city office buildings intact amid redevelopment plans
Winchester: Coitbury House and Kings Walk are part of the Silver Hill redevelopment area. They were once marked for demolition in earlier plans.
The city council, along with the Jigsaw consortium, is working on new plans for the area between The Broadway and Friarsgate, which includes the bus station.
Coitbury House, built in the 1950s, used to be NHS offices but now serves as temporary housing for key workers. Kings Walk, built in the 1970s, has seen some refurbishment but remains mostly unused.
Keith Leaman, the trust’s chairman, shared in their latest newsletter that there’s been a lot of talk about whether old buildings should be torn down or refurbished. He pointed out that demolishing buildings and constructing new ones can be really carbon-intensive and costly.
He mentioned that deciding to refurbish isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, it can be pricier and more complicated than just building something new.
Leaman gave examples from Winchester, like Kings Walk, which isn’t exactly a beloved piece of architecture. It has some awkward spaces, but it’s made from good materials, which makes it worth considering for preservation.
He also talked about Coitbury House, noting its solid construction and potential for a thoughtful refurbishment. He was part of a committee a few years back that looked into options for this building, but its future is still uncertain.
The latest move in the Silver Hill redevelopment was last year’s demolition of the Friarsgate Medical Centre, which made way for a pop-up park.
The council envisions a “sustainable, pedestrian-led quarter” with a mix of uses and attractive public spaces that reflect the unique character of the city center.
