COUNCIL chiefs are considering a plan to revitalise an industrial estate in Winchester which they say has become "tired and unattractive" to investors.

At the cabinet meeting on Wednesday (March 2nd), councillors will be asked to commit £25,000 to fund a study of Winnall Industrial Estate.

The estate is the city's largest employment area.

It was developed in the 'Sixties and although it is ideally placed for access via the M3, the report to council says that access and public transport from the city centre is poor.

The report goes on to say that many of the buildings are becoming "tired" and are at the end of their economic life.

It is critical of the design and landscaping throughout the estate, citing that as a reason businesses are not attracted to the area.

Aim of the study will be to assess the state of the area, analyse its potential and examine how it could be improved to best serve the economic needs of the city. It is hoped the study will be the first phase in devising a master plan for the area.

The council's vision for the area's future includes a new-look business park, which, it hopes, would appeal to start-up and creative businesses and tap into local entrepreneurial talent from nearby colleges such as the city's School of Art.