REACTION continues to come in for the Barton Farm decision yesterday.
Gavin Blackman, chairman of the Save Barton Farm Group, said: “We are carrying on. We
are bitterly disappointed but not surprised given the pressure the Government is under to kickstart the economy.“

But we are surprised at the timing just before the public inquiry into the local plan at the end of October.”

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Liberal Democrat group leader on the city council, said yesterday: “With a Conservative council, Conservative MP and a final decision by a Conservative Secretary of State, there’s not much left of the Conservative promise to ‘Save Barton Farm’.

"This is very disappointing for those of us who have been consistently campaigning against Barton Farm. We’ll carry on working hard to make sure the development is of the highest quality with roads, shops and school places put in place.”

Chris Turner, executive director, Winchester Business Improvement District, said: “We are pleased that at long last the decision on Barton Farm has been made.

“Winchester desperately needs new homes to allow the population to grow sensibly and in a proper affordable and planned fashion,  rather than being squeezed into all the vital green spaces that exist in the heart of the city. The business community will now work hard with the city to make sure that the development is a creative and exciting one that can stand alongside the best in Europe.”

See the Hampshire Chronicle out tomorrow for the fullest coverage.