Barton Farm plans on show to public in Winchester (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Barton Farm plans on show to public in Winchester

2:46pm Friday 1st February 2013 in Winchester By Wesley Rock

PLANS for Barton Farm that went on public display yesterday (January 31) have been met with emotions ranging from disapproval to caution.

At Winchester’s Guildhall developer Cala Homes put on a public information day with a series pictures showing how they expect the 2,000-home development to look.

A steady stream of concerned residents came to look at the presentation, with the main worries being the re-routing of Andover Road and whether Winchester can accommodate the amount of traffic the estate will bring.

And the artist’s impressions did not impress the public either.

Robert Wellbeloved, of Orchard Close, said: “They should have put a proper three-dimensional model on display - which is actually fairly common now – so we could really see what it will look like.”

Pensioner Tony Westlake, of Courtney Road, said: “These displays seem like a lot of froth and not much substance to me.”

Many visitors were cautious about whether the site will turn out as presented in the developer’s pictures.

Vera Bruty, retired, of Manningford Close, said: “This development will not be the way Cala say it is going to be. The one thing I think is really bad is that Barton Farm is going to be an island. It’s hemmed in and there is only one main road that leads out of it. I just cannot see how the people living on that island will get out.”

But a spokesman for Cala said: “I think the road has come up today, yes. But also it’s difficult because we’re not necessarily at the stage when we have total plans for people to see yet. This is an overview of the outline consent that already exists.”

Work on the designs for the first phase is due to be completed by the end of 2013 and building should begin in early 2014, with the first homes ready by late 2014.

Cala has outline planning permission but a new application will be submitted for the details.

A council report said the scheme is due to take 10-15 years to complete.