Legal & General and Gisborne, in partnership with the Church Commissioners for England, have submitted their plans for the employment-led regeneration of Bushfield Camp in Winchester. A best-in-class mixed use knowledge park with inclusivity, connectivity and vibrancy at the heart, the redevelopment of Bushfield will generate a wealth of social, economic and environmental benefits for the city and wider district.

Prioritising sustainability and community, circa 60% of the 44-hectare Bushfield Camp site will be managed as publicly accessible and biodiverse green space – playing a key role in supporting the aims of Winchester City Council’s Green Economic Development strategy.

The site spans more than 100 acres and benefits from an existing allocation in Winchester City Council’s 2013 adopted local plan and a draft allocation within the Regulation 18 consultation plan, to deliver: “high quality flexible business and employment space, an innovative education hub and [space for] creative industries”.

Bushfield occupies a spectacular location overlooking the Itchen River valley, Winchester Cathedral and the Hospital of St Cross and facing St Catherine’s Hill. Bushfield is a very significant piece of land, bridging the city to the rural land beyond. There is currently a small parcel to the north of the site which the owner has granted permissive access to the public, however no public right of access exists across the rest of the site.

Representing a unique legacy project for Winchester, a large focus for the future development will be to ensure it is accessible by all. We want to open up Bushfield, making 60 acres of green formally accessible. Once developed, the site will have public access, as the developers seek to knit the proposals into the local community – making Bushfield a shared experience and an enhanced local amenity for the public to enjoy.

Our proposals provide an opportunity to create a new knowledge quarter for Winchester on a scheme which puts sustainability, inclusivity and wellbeing at the heart of its design as well as improve access and secure the long-term future management of the previously undeveloped parts of the site for recreational use and environmental enhancement.

The proposals provide an opportunity to create a new knowledge quarter which puts sustainability, inclusivity and wellbeing at the heart of its design.