PLANNING bosses are today due to examine some of the final stages of the Barton Farm application today.

And yesterday (Wednesday 18), as the Chronicle went to press, architect’s impressions and detailed displays for 430 new homes went up for public inspection in the Guildhall.

It was an opportunity to see the proposed mix of house types, layout and landscaping of phases 1A and 1B.

Speaking before the event, CALA’s director, Mike Emett, said he had been listening to public concern and insisted CALA had responded in the wake of public consultation.

“The point of many of the conversations so far though, and with the previous objections to the applications, seems to be to justify the 2,000 houses and mitigate the impact, as though we need an excuse to build 2,000 houses. I fundamentally disagree with that approach – Winchester needs houses.

“I cannot promise to address every single complaint, but the comments made on the Andover Road have struck a chord with us and forced us to do a lot of soul-searching,” he said.

Today developers were due to ask council bosses to approve changes to three planning conditions that were outlined by local government minister, Eric Pickles, last year. Planning officers have recommended that councillors approve CALA’s request to submit their design code (a series of standards used to guide development) at the same time as they submit their reserved matters.

Developers have also requested greater flexibility in the size of the medical facility they are obliged to build. They told officers that the requirement for facilities has yet by decided by local doctors’ practices.

A request for a larger pub has also been made – from 200sq metres, to 500sq metres. Mr Emett said that was in response to half a dozen serious expressions of interest from national chains, most of whom preferred a site large enough for live-in accommodate.