THE Government this afternoon approved the building of 2,000 homes at Barton Farm on the edge of the city.

The decision by the Department of Communities and Local Government will bitterly disappoint campaigners who have fought plans for some 15 years.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles had last year sent the decision to be made by the city council. But he reversed his decision after the threat of a legal challenge by developer Cala Homes.

Steve Brine, Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP said: “This is a bitterly disappointing decision from the coalition Government. CALA homes have very deep pockets and have relentlessly pursued Winchester over many years until they got what they wanted. Because of the Appeal system it was always possible they'd win one day and today it looks like they have.”

Of the 2,000 homes some 800 will be social housing for people currently on the city council waiting list.