THE developer of a massive regeneration scheme in Winchester city centre is considering adding a leisure facility after initial feedback from the public.

Ideas have included a small nightclub, ice-rink, bowling alley, cinema and drop-in centre. A possible venue is the Woolstaplers Hall.

The city council's brief, setting out its requirements for the Broadway-Friarsgate redevelopment, included: "leisure provision, especially for young people".

But no new leisure facilities are currently proposed in the £100m scheme, apart from cafs and bars.

Developer, Thornfield Properties, and their architects, Allies and Morrison, envisage 360 homes, 40 shops, a multi-storey car park, new bus station, two doctors' surgeries and a civic square.

At a public meeting in the Guildhall two weeks ago calls were made for the five-acre site to provide something for young people to do.

Mike Capocci, managing director of Thornfields Properties, said: "We have no problem with the idea of leisure. One of the things that came up at the public meeting was the suggestion there ought to be more for youth in the community and we are seeking to accommodate that proposal.

"How it will manifest itself it is difficult to say at this point."

Mr Capocci said a bowling alley was unlikely because it was "very hungry of land" and the site was not big enough to accommodate it and other proposed uses.

But he added: "That is not to say we can't have other leisure uses less hungry of land. We need to see what is practical to create and does not conflict with other uses. We are genuinely open-minded."

The developer agreed earmarking Woolstaplers Hall for a leisure facility was "a possibility".

Alan Weeks, chairman of Winchester Residents' Association, warmly welcomed the news, but he was critical of the council.

He said: "Leisure use was in the original development brief. The question is what happened? Why did the council let it slip away. They are co-developers.

"The council can't just wash its hands like Pontius Pilate and say it is nothing to do with us. The council are development partners with Thornfield"

Mr Weeks is now calling for the council to ring-fence rental income from the redevelopment to help subsidise any new leisure facility.

He said: "We want an alternative to pubs and binge-drinking that is welcoming to young and old.

"A centre could have a variety of uses. It could be a non-alcoholic venue for the under-18s and be used at other times by other sections of the community, including the elderly"

Leader of the council, Sheila Campbell, said: "We have to look at the development from all aspects. We can't simply say definitely go for a five-screen cinema or a bowling alley.

"We have to think commercially about the long-term viability of such a facility in a small city the size of Winchester and whether it would stand on its own feet or forever require a subsidy and, if so, where would that come from?"

Mrs Campbell said the council supported the idea of a drop-in centre for young people if there was a need. She said the Woolstaplers Hall was a possible venue.

Asked about using rental income to subside the facility, she said it was not yet known how much money the council would make.

"Trying to earmark money from potential income for definite outgoings does not make good working budgets." But she agreed that the principle could be considered.

* What facilities would you like to see? E-mail letters@ hampshirechronicle.co.uk