Winchester civic chiefs are setting up a Barton Farm Forum to allow the public to help shape the 2,000-home development.

The new body will include local people, the city council and Cala Homes now that the controversial scheme has got the consent of the secretary of state Eric Pickles.

Cllr Victoria Weston, portfolio holder for planning and transport, announced the new forum at full Council meeting last night following a question for Liberal Democrat councillor Robert Hutchison.

He had asked what pressure the council was imposing on Cala Homes to ensure Barton Farm was “fully fit for the 21st century and of which the whole district can be proud?”

Cllr Hutchison added: “Winchester is a city of architects. It would be highly desirable to involve local architects to draw up a code for Cala Homes.”

Cllr Weston said legally binding section 106 agreements had been signed with Cala on affordable homes and transport.

Cala plans 40 per cent of the houses will be social housing for people on the council waiting list; there will also be a primary school, community centre, shops, park, park and ride.

Cllr Weston said: “Cala Homes must now submit a design code for approval and then a series of reserved matters applications for the details of the development. I am committed to ensuring that these are of high quality and that Cala work hard to meet the standards we set.

“To that end, officers have been meeting Cala to set out our expectations and to ensure that these are properly understood. Cala have been asked to consider holding a public exhibition in the new year to provide a full update on their proposals.”

She said the proposed forum would be “a long-term body which has an important role in helping to ensure that the development is well integrated and successful. Details of this will be published very shortly.”