12:49pm Friday 13th March 2009
By Andrew Napier
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Winchester’s countryside are preparing for a crucial display of public protest tomorrow (Saturday).
The Save Barton Farm Group is hoping 1,000 people will march down Winchester High Street in the biggest demonstration in the city in years.
As they prepare, their adversary Cala Homes is also drawing up plans for its planning application for 2,000 homes on the farmland off Andover Road.
Barton Farm campaign leader Gavin Blackman warned he would resign should the turnout only be around 250 people.
Mr Blackman said: “If we only get 250 I would consider my position, to be honest.
“I would only be wasting my time if people aren’t concerned about it as I am. I have better things to do. The feedback we are getting is that they are still opposed to it and cannot understand why it is back on the agenda.
“They are not happy that the city council is just rolling over,” added Mr Blackman.
The threat to Barton Farm is now greater than at any time since it was first earmarked as a reserve site in 2002.
The city council is poised to confirm Barton Farm for housing in the local development framework, which is due to be agreed on March 25, and then confirmed on April 22.
The Conservative-controlled city council says Government edicts give it no alternative.
Meanwhile, Cala is preparing a public consultation and arranging meetings with stakeholders including the city and county councils, City of Winchester Trust, Winchester Cycling Group, A2 Housing Group, Natural England, Environment Agency, Sport England, Southern Water, Stagecoach, the chamber of commerce, Henry Beaufort School and Winchester Action on Climate Change.
Liberal Democrat politicians were unhappy that they had not been formally consulted.
Cllr Kelsie Learney said: “I’m shocked that the council is going behind councillors’ backs on this. This is a vital local question and I’m appalled that the council has started work with Cala Homes on a planning application without informing all local councillors.”
The march gathers at The Westgate in the High Street at 10am, ending in a rally at the Guildhall.
The three main political candidates have been invited to speak — Martin Tod, for the Lib Dems, Steve Brine for the Tories, and Patrick Davies for Labour.
Mr Davies has declined to speak, although he opposes development at Barton Farm.
In a letter to Mr Blackman, he wrote: “I don’t think that PPCs have any proper role to play in these local planning matters. During my time as a councillor I always used to point out that even the MP had no function at all in the local planning process, and that if he did ever try to intervene, it was either improper or counter-productive.
“The great danger is that members of the public will be misled into believing would-be national politicians have a local role and responsibility which they do not have.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/trade_directory/