Hampshire: Bargate Homes acquires fire station site

Winchester’s fire station has finally been acquired by Bargate Homes for a residential redevelopment scheme in the heart of the city.

The landmark site on North Walls was owned by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, which controls fire service assets, but has been vacant since 2011 when the existing fire station relocated to purpose-built premises in Easton Lane, Winnall.

Having worked closely with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Winchester planners and local residents over the past four years, Bargate has completed on the site and had its plans approved for the 15-home scheme, bringing an end to speculation as to how the site would be used.

The acquisition follows hard on the heels of the Fair Oak-based Bargate Homes securing a £25 million investment from Prowting Investments plc enabling its strategic expansion and providing a significant boost to the regional economy.

The dynamic team, one of the most experienced in the market, has a long association with Winchester and is currently enjoying success with its development St James Mews, the former Peugeot garage in Southgate Street, where all 14 luxury properties were sold off plan; Parkwood, an 11-home development on Andover Road; Chestnut Mead on Kingsgate Street and Silverwood in the city centre.

Collecting the keys from Dave Turner, group manager for Winchester, and Richard Kenchington from Hampshire County Council, Bargate MD Angus Cook said: “This is an incredibly exciting project for us and is the fruition of a great deal of hard work with the Fire and Rescue Authority, Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council and all relevant stakeholders to deliver an exemplary residential scheme on this landmark site.

“We know we can meet the challenge of transforming this prominent corner of the city into a development of which Winchester, and Bargate, can be truly proud.”

The homes will be a mix of three and four-bed terraces with three two-bed bungalows. The historic importance of the site, which sits within a conservation area, has been reflected in the sympathetic, traditional exterior design of the homes, while inside all are fitted with the very latest mod cons and designed for modern living.

Work on the site will start this month with first occupations expected around Easter 2016.