Councillors opt for Barton Farm (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Councillors opt for Barton Farm

1:30am Thursday 23rd April 2009 in

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BARTON Farm can be developed for housing in the long term, Winchester council chiefs have ruled.

Up to 2,000 homes could be built on the greenfield site, making it the city’s largest development for 30 years.

The city council has to identify enough space for 12,000 homes across the district by 2026.

Barton Farm, north of Winchester, was already a ‘reserve site’ that could be released if land supplies dried up.

Faced with finding space for 12,000 homes, council chiefs argued that the land must be identified in the new plan.

Before the meeting, around 100 campaigners waved placards on the guildhall steps.

It comes after 600 vented their opposition in March when they rallied in The Broadway.

Gavin Blackman, who chairs Save Barton Farm Group, lobbied councillors before the debate began.

He said: “To remove this green lung will certainly change the Winchester we know and love today.”

Two councillors from the ruling Tory group – Cllrs Richard Worrall and Eileen Berry – said before the night that they would support the protesters.

Cllr Worrall said: “If we concede the principle of 2,000 homes being built on Barton Farm then it goes one step more towards becoming inevitable.”

His party colleague, Cllr Ian Tait, took a different view, and argued for the scheme.

“With careful planning, it could be a very effective community and offer us a good range of properties,” he said.

Labour member, Cllr Chris Pines, said: “What’s happening to this city is that we’re gradually getting older and house prices are getting beyond the reach of our young people.”

The opposition Lib Dems argued that changes were needed to the 20-year plan to give Barton Farm more protection.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Lib Dem member for Littleton and Harestock, said: “We need to recognise the importance of Barton Farm as a green wedge and recognise that it has been a reserve site, and put it to the back of the queue rather than the front.”

The Tories backed the amendment, claiming that it endorsed their own aims to keep Barton Farm at the back of the line.

Council leader, Cllr George Beckett, then said they had lobbied Westminster to change the housing targets, but without success.

“I wrote and told the minister that the South East plan was not fit for purpose,” he added.

After six hours of talks, members voted by 48 to eight to approve the 20-year-plan, including Barton Farm.

A separate vote was taken on the principle of building a ‘knowledge park’ at Bushfield Camp on Winchester’s southern outskirts.

It was carried after the Tories, Independents and Labour supported it, while the Lib Dems voted against.