New Director for Salisbury Vision

The Salisbury Vision project is a joint private and public sector initiative to revitalise key areas within the city of Salisbury whilst ensuring that its historic uniqueness is protected.  Its aims are to create high-quality facilities, new jobs and an improved and sustainable environment for the people of Salisbury and beyond.  The Vision comprises 24 projects intended to help the historic city prosper and grow and, as a result, improve the well-being of its 45,000 residents, hundreds of businesses and 1.5 million annual visitors.

Richard Walters, the new Director for Salisbury Vision, has relocated from London with his wife and two young children to live near Salisbury.  Richard has more than 15 years’ experience in regeneration and development-related work.  In recent years the bulk of his work has been for public sector clients, including government departments, such as the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, development agencies and local authorities. He has also advised a wide range of private sector organisations.

Mr Walters said: “The Vision is a valuable initiative to revitalise key areas within Salisbury, whilst ensuring that its historic uniqueness and integrity are protected. I feel honoured to be its director.  The regeneration projects will help safeguard the local economy and local jobs and make Salisbury a cleaner, greener, safer and friendlier city to live and work in and to visit.”

Sir Christopher Benson, chairman of the Salisbury Vision Board, said: “Richard is a leading regeneration specialist with wide experience in his field.  “We believe he is the right person to lead the delivery of the Vision and I know that the people of Salisbury, from residents to businesses and all other stakeholders, will give him a warm welcome.  “Richard is able to work closely with stakeholders, including investors, developers and funding agencies, and looks forward to doing the same with members of the Vision Board.”

Mr Walters, an MA, MPhil, Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, joined Knight Frank in 2006 as a partner.  A total of 11 people were interviewed for the post of Salisbury Vision Director after the job was advertised in the national and regional media.

One key Vision project is already under way – plans for the rejuvenation of the Market Place and Guildhall square.  Another major project relates to the Maltings and central car park, which could be transformed into a unique riverside retail and cultural centre, together with

bars, restaurants, apartments and high-quality public space.

Salisbury Vision also looks at the Churchfields Industrial Estate, which has grown piecemeal over 40 years to become home to 165 companies employing 4,500 people on 81 acres.  If alternative sites were found for relocation, the site could be freed up for a hotel and conference centre, along with affordable homes and offices, which would remove lorries from narrow and congested urban roadways.

Other Vision projects include Salisbury Guildhall, the A36 Southampton Road, Salt Lane and Brown Street car parks, the bus station and depot, Old Manor Hospital, Chipper Lane and Scots Lane, a railway station interchange, Fisherton Square, Harnham Water Meadows, the ‘green circle’ and Churchill Gardens.

These are not exhaustive and the Vision will be examining any possible other projects to promote the wellbeing of the city and its citizens

For more information on Salisbury Vision visit www.salisburyvision.co.uk

The Salisbury Vision Board is responsible for delivering the Salisbury Vision regeneration programme.  It is led by the private sector and its members are Salisbury Civic Society; South Wiltshire Economic Partnership; Salisbury City Centre Management; Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Salisbury City Community Area Partnership; Wiltshire Council; Salisbury City Council; Salisbury Community Area Partnership and Salisbury Community Area Board.