CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 2,000 homes on the outskirts of Winchester have started to divide conservation groups.

The Bishop's Waltham Society says the plans for Barton Farm should go ahead - because they would ease the pressures in Winchester's southern parishes and on Micheldever.

Its views have concerned the Winchester campaigners who fear such division will weaken the case against development.

John Hayter, vice-chairman of the Bishop's Waltham Society, criticised objectors to the Barton Farm proposals and said: "They have totally ignored the impact on two-thirds of Winchester district residents who live outside Winchester itself."

He stressed the southern parishes had suffered considerable development and faced the prospect of more unless pressures could be relieved.

Mr Hayter also thought that approval for development in North Winchester would restrict Eagle Star in any move it might make to get development at Micheldever.

He said: "This is an opportunity for all those who are opposed to any development at Micheldever, to further large scale development in the Southern Parishes, or who feel that Winchester urgently needs more low-cost housing and new employment provision, to have their say.

But Barton Farm campaigners are unhappy at his comments. Deborah Falconer, chairman of the Winchester Landscape Conservation Alliance, said: "This is playing one place off against another. We would never say the houses should be built somewhere else. It is a bit underhand to start suggesting other sites.

"It is a bit Nimby to start suggesting other sites. We should all be fighting for the same ends which are fewer houses."

Proposed revisions to the county structure plan were open to public comments to the county planning officer by noon on December 3.

A public meeting to discuss Barton Farm will be held at Henry Beaufort School in Harestock, Winchester, next Thursday at 7.30pm.

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