Responding to the new consultation on building on Barton Farm, announced by Cala Homes, and their intention to submit a planning application by the end of the year, Martin Tod, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP, commented:

“The last thing we need is a plan for Barton Farm rushed through in the dying days of the current Labour Government. Both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have promised to get rid of central housing targets, so Cala appear to be trying to get approval while the local Conservative plans for Winchester are in chaos, and before Labour are kicked out. Whatever the merits of the proposals, now is not the time to be pushing them through. Building on green fields should be absolutely the last resort in the Winchester, not something forced through before an election.”

Responding to the news that Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Meeting on October 14 will be discussing a proposal to release 3 green field sites for building – Pitt Manor, Francis Gardens and Spring Gardens – in order to cover a shortfall of 294 houses caused by the Conservative County Council’s decision to delay development of the Police Headquarters site in Winchester, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP, Martin Tod, commented:

“The appalling thing is that this plan calls for building on green fields when there are town-centre sites, such as the Police Headquarters, which could take the number of houses the Government is asking for.”

“The combination of Labour’s top-down planning system and the Conservative County Council’s decision to delay building houses on the police station site look set to condemn green field areas like Pitt Manor and Francis Gardens to be being built on – even though local people don’t want it.”

“The Liberal Democrats have wanted to scrap top-down housing targets for several years. But, despite the targets, we wouldn’t be in this position if the Conservatives running the County Council had moved ahead with their plan for the Police Headquarters as was originally promised.”