Winchester City Council report September 2026
Central Winchester Regeneration
Central Winchester Regeneration (CWR) continues to progress as a significant milestone was agreed at today’s cabinet meeting. At the city council’s Cabinet meeting, the updated CWR business case was agreed, which will now allow the council’s development partner - Jigsaw by Partnerships and Places - to submit its planning application by the end of this year.
Central Winchester Regeneration presents a landmark opportunity to transform and reinvigorate the rundown areas of the city into a vibrant mixed-use area, which will provide over 200 new homes, over 3500 square metres of commercial space and 6,600 square metres of new public squares, streets and routes, creating vibrant public spaces, new and enhanced bus infrastructure and a greener, more accessible city centre.
River Park site update
On 9th September WCC’s Cabinet will consider the bids for redevelopment of the River Park site. A preferred bidder, lido operator Sea Lanes, has been recommended by officers in the report to cabinet:
Following the evaluation process, it is considered that the Sea Lanes bid which will provide:
offers the best consideration to the Council. It is therefore recommended that the Council disposes of the long lease to Sea Lanes, subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions, including compliance with the policies of the Winchester District Local Plan 2020-2040, adopted by Winchester City Council on 24 March 2026.
WCC is holding a final drop-in information event on the future of the former leisure centre site on Thursday 3 September from 3 to 7pm at The Courtyard, Guildhall Winchester, SO23 9GH.
There’s no need to book, just pop along, meet the project team, and ask your questions before the council’s cabinet meets on Wednesday 9 September.
For those unable to attend: All the information will be available following the event at https://www.winchester.gov.uk/regeneration/32907/former-leisure-centre-site
District Small Grant Scheme for 26/27
The Winchester District small grant scheme is designed to provide small-scale, one-off grants of up to £700 to local voluntary/not for profit groups and organisations.
The funding is aimed at activities which require one-off expenditure or initial set up/pump priming costs. The grants are available for one-off pieces of expenditure on projects, equipment and other items which will help your organisation to do more, to reach more people, to provide better services or to try something different. Examples of eligible costs include new or start-up equipment, set up costs for new groups, special events and activities.
The fund closes to applications on midday 31 January 2027 – or sooner if the fund is fully allocated.
To learn more or to apply, please visit: https://www.winchester.gov.uk/grants-for-not-for-profit-organisations/small-grant-scheme
Your district councillors for Badger Farm and Oliver’s Battery
Cllr Adrian Brophy - abrophy@winchester.gov.uk
Cllr Brian Laming – blaming@winchester.gov.uk
Cllr Jan Warwick – jwarwick@winchester.gov.uk