An electric scooter (stock image) CITY councillors have expressed their growing concern over electric bicycles and scooters. At a health and environment committee, members were told that a petition by Extinction Rebellion Winchester influenced the latest Movement Strategy proposals. But Cllr Frank Pearson said he was largely concerned about one of the petition s points. The group had asked that one lane of traffic on the district s narrowest pavements should be for pedestrians and cyclists. Cllr Pearson said: Putting pedestrians and cyclists together can be dangerous – the trouble is speed, and this should be in bold print. All of a sudden we also have the trouble of electric scooters which must be included in this consideration.
WINCHESTER planners have again expressed frustration at developers doing what they want to do. City councillors reluctantly felt they had to approve changes to a new house, called Corner House, being built on the corner of Bereweeke Road and Bereweeke Close in Weeke. Applicant Nick Petford and Gina Cherrett won permission on appeal to develop the modernist house in 2018 after the scheme has been refused by the planners. They have gone back to the council with amendments, including a new access off Bereweeke Close and the cutting down of several trees. The new proposal attracted 15 objections, most of the residents of Bereweeke Close.
WINCHESTER planners have resisted a proposal to radically alter an edge of town superstore in order to protect the city centre. City councillors say proposals by Royal London, for the Homebase store on Easton Lane, would damage the vitality of the High Street. Homebase oppose the application and says it wants to remain on the site with a new lease signed at the end of 2019 running until the end of 2024. Royal London said they will not try to change the store with Homebase there but were future proofing the site. Royal London submitted four applications: to change the planning condition from bulky goods to a more general retail; covering over the garden centre and converting it into another shop; enlarging the mezzanine floor, creating another unit; and a standalone pod , suitable for a coffee shop in the car park.