IT’S not over! The battle for Barton Farm will continue, a council chief has warned.

On the day Secretary of State Eric Pickles appeared to kill off the controversial 2,000-home plan by developer Cala Homes, Winchester’s council leader George Beckett yesterday cautioned campaigners against celebrating victory.

Cllr Beckett said the council must still address the issue of where much-needed homes should go. He added that he faced the dilemma of placing 4,000 new houses in the Winchester city district over the next 20 years.

He said: “This is not a ‘saving of Barton Farm’, because it is not saved. It’s quite clear the planners can’t ignore Barton Farm. No-one should conclude that Barton Farm has been defeated.

“As a community we have to decide where we want these houses to go. We need a public debate as to how we are going to deal with it.”

Gavin Blackman, chairman of the Save Barton Farm Group, agreed.

He said: “This is a battle won and not the war. No doubt Cala will appeal in whatever way they can.

“If the decision does go back to the city council I’m convinced they will allow development. It is a victory for today but whether it will be a victory tomorrow, I very much doubt.”

Mike Emett, development director of Cala Homes, said no decision had been made on an appeal as he was still digesting the decision details.

He said: “We are disappointed. The decision leaves open the issue of how Winchester is going to address its chronic under-supply of housing.”

It emerged yesterday that Mr Pickles’ decision was based on the need to promote “localism”. He said the Cala Homes scheme was “balanced and sustainable... that meets the needs of its local area” but that the final decision must rest with Winchester City Council. Cala had appealed over the council’s initial refusal and the planning inspector backed Cala before her decision was overruled yesterday by Mr Pickles.

The Government decision letter said: “Government has made it clear that its intention is to return decision-making powers in housing and planning to local authorities.”

Preservation watchdogs, the City of Winchester Trust, welcomed the decision. In a statement it said: “The development was not only premature but designed with unsustainable and extravagant use of precious countryside.”

See next week's Hampshire Chronicle out on October 6 for 'what next for Barton Farm'?