Civic chiefs are looking to residents across the district to report sites, a full council meeting heard. It came after Cllr Jan Warwick and David Killeen, chairman of Hursley Parish Council, questioned Cllr Jackie Porter, portfolio holder who covers planning. They asked how the redevelopment of brownfield sites will be incorporated in plans to become carbon neutral by 2030. Winchester City Council has published a carbon neutrality action plan with the goal of the whole District being carbon neutral by 2030, said Cllr Killeen. To achieve this goal and to maintain it post-2030 will the redevelopment of brownfield sites to make the best use of that resource have a key part to play in the council s response to the climate emergency it has declared? Over 4,000 people support such an approach.
A CAMPAIGN for a new road crossing in Winchester appears close to success. Campaigners have been calling for a crossing on Andover Road to connect the growing estate of Barton Farm with Weeke and Harestock. Parents with children at the recently-opened Barton Farm Primary Academy were involved, fearing that the road posed a danger to children. The campaign attracted cross-party support including city MP Steve Brine, local Liberal Democrats and parish councillors. Now Hampshire County Council (HCC) has said it is drawing up plans for a crossing. Senior county councillor Rob Humby on Friday briefed Mr Brine, Cllr Jan Warwick and Kings Barton resident Mike Slinn who last year presented a petition to the county council.
A DEVELOPER’S hopes for a huge new town south of Winchester have been dealt a blow. The Chronicle reported last week that a planning document stated the 5,000-home scheme had the support of the county council, claimed in a public document called a SHELAA, the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment. SHELAA is a ‘wish list’ of sites available to be developed, and a statutory requirement for local authorities to produce. Cllr Keith Mans, leader of Hampshire County Council, said the developer is wrong to say the county has given consent for the use of its farmland near Compton for an access road into Royaldown: “I wish to stress that there were no discussions between the county council, as the landowner, and the developer relating to permissions. While peripheral queries about highways access, for example, may have been answered, I must state categorically that there was absolutely no permission given for any development on the land in question.
THE campaign against plans for a huge housing development south of Winchester is growing. There is now a petition to halt Royaldown in its tracks, which looks to build 5,000 new homes between the city and Hursley. Save South Winchester and Hursley Neighbourhood Plan Group are both calling on the city council to reject the scheme. So far, they have received 3,132 signatures on their petition. On behalf of the two groups, David Killeen and Cllr Jan Warwick have given a list of reasons as to why they are objecting. They said: Such a development would: detract from the ancient history in Hursley Parish and border immediately onto the historic conservation area of Hursley.