Barton Farm must be built to tackle the chronic problem of housing need in Winchester, according to a new report commissioned by developer Cala Homes.

The study by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners says there is an overwhelming need for the 2,000 homes.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT

Cala has submitted the report to the city council’s Blueprint initiative, a public consultation on the future of Winchester until 2026, which ends this month.

Cala also commissioned a straw poll that showed support for more housing in the city.

The survey of 100 people in the city centre revealed 67 per cent wanted more housing; 75 per cent thought Winchester was too expensive to live in; and 86 per cent agreed that they knew people who could not afford to live in Winchester.

A city council spokesman said of the report: “It is very useful and will form part of our work in drawing up the Blueprint.”

Gavin Blackman, of the Save Barton Farm Group, questioned whether the statistical basis of the report might be “spurious”.

Steve Brine, Winchester MP, is steadfastly against the development, labelling the scheme “a gross over-development of the city”, and arguing that Cala has no local support.

“They have done nothing to ingratiate themselves. Their attitude is ‘we own the land, we will do what we want.”

For full story see today's Hampshire Chronicle.