TK Associates is providing communications and media advice to the challengers of a £150 million, five-acre modern development proposed for the heart of the ancient city of Winchester.

We are supporting the Winchester Deserves Better campaign, led by Councillor Kim Gottlieb – a chartered surveyor and property developer – and backed by local residents, traders, architects and housing experts.

We are helping them to develop and argue their case that the extensive modern scheme from US-owned developer Henderson Real Estate will:

  • ruin the character of England’s ancient capital – the seat of Alfred the Great (King of the Anglo-Saxons, 849-899) and home to this day of King Arthur’s Round Table
  • kill off its high street which, dating to 70 AD, is believed to be the oldest in northern Europe
  • contravene national housing policy as the 100 affordable homes originally included have now been scrapped

Our results so far have included live coverage on BBC TV, news bulletins on BBC and local radio and exposure in regional and national media.

Councillor Kim Gottlieb comments: “The proposed scheme for this site in the heart of Winchester is wrong – very wrong. With its outdated retail concept and dismal architecture, it will ruin one of the oldest and finest cities in England.

“We’re doing all we can to put a stop to the awful current proposals and we’ve commissioned TK Associates to help us press the strongest possible case.”

For more on the campaign against the scheme, see www.winchesterdeservesbetter.com and the Facebook page www.facebook.com/winchesterdeservesbetter.