A CONTROVERSIAL new housing development planned for the Hampshire countryside is still locked in a row over the cost the of land.

The 2,000-home scheme remains at the centre of a land value dispute after months of negotiations delayed the project.

Work was expected to begin in the summer but housebuilding has yet to begin on Barton Farm in Winchester.

This is because landowner Winchester College is asking a higher price than developer Cala is willing to pay.

Independent experts were brought in earlier this year to set the price of the first chunk of land.

But no decision has been made and civic chiefs do not know when it will come, a meeting heard.

The development for 2,000 homes to the north of the city has been one of the most controversial planning issues in Hampshire over the past 20 years.

Hundreds of people have held several protest marches through Winchester city centre to save Barton Farm.

Of the 2,000 homes, 40 per cent – approximately 800 – will be for rent to people on the city council waiting list.

Cllr Vicki Weston, deputy leader of Winchester City Council told councillors: “The planning consent has been implemented and as soon as Cala Homes and the college have concluded their negotiations Cala will mobilise to begin the first house building phase of the development.

“We do not know precisely when this will be and therefore the site is being secured until a start is made.”

It will fuel uncertainty following concerns that delay will affect the council’s ability to repel speculative planning applications.

Cllr Weston was responding to a question by Cllr Jane Rutter, who suggested that the wait could impact the number of discounted homes available on Barton Farm.

She added there is “nothing the council has been asked to do or needs to do” to ensure the proposed 800 affordable homes are built.