The Cala Homes Planning Application

16 August 2004: CALA HOMES PLANNING APPLICATION –
YOUR CITY NEEDS YOU TO ACT!!

Dear Supporter

Cala Homes has recently submitted further evidence to support their planning application to Winchester City Council to develop Barton Farm.  We therefore need again to oppose the proposed development not just at the ongoing Public Inquiry BUT NOW!!

We need as many objections as possible to Cala’s further evidence.

If You Objected To The Original Application

You are still eligible to object to the further evidence and we would urge you to do so as the volume of objections is important.  You may like to object on the following grounds:

• The further evidence is general, vague and has not addressed your original objections

• The further evidence does nothing to prove that the proposed development will be sustainable, particularly in the area of transport and flooding

• Cala Homes have not proved that the development will provide employment for the residents of the development but would attract more commuters.  Cala Homes dismiss outward commuting from the development but provide no justification for th

• The sample sizes that Cala Homes use in their research for the further evidence are limited and are unrepresentative

• The further evidence shows that Cala Homes are only concerned with the drainage of their site, whereas we should be concerned with the increased danger of flooding in Kings Worthy and the City Centre

If You Have Not Yet Objected

You still have a right to object. It is important that as many people as possible lodge an objection against the application.  We list below some comments you may wish to make:

• It is inconsistent with the requirements of the Winchester District Local Plan
• The 1997 Local Plan threw out a similar application but for only 450 homes
• The local road network cannot support the proposed size of the development
• Local amenities would be overwhelmed, for example, the train service to Waterloo
• The development would forever destroy Winchester’s essential landscape character
• A valuable recreational amenity would be lost for the people of Winchester
• The development would increase the already high levels of pollution in Winchester

These are just some examples – we are sure you can think of many more but the important thing to remember is to ensure you send in your objection (however brief!) and that you get your family, friends, neighbours and anyone you know to do likewise – it is volume we are looking for at this stage rather than quality of objection.

Deadline For Objections

Your objection(s) should quote the planning application number – 04/00289/OUT and should be sent to the City Council before 27 August 2004 at the address below:

Director of Development Services

Winchester City Council
Avalon House
Chesil Street
Winchester
SO23 0HU Tel: 01962 848177 / 848293  Email: planning@winchester.gov.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

• 22 September 2004 – A special Winchester City Council Development Control Committee meeting will take place at 10.00 am at The Guildhall to consider the further evidence
  
• 14 October 2004 – Public Inquiry – Roundtable discussion into the Winchester City North MDA.  10 am to 1pm at The Guildhall.  We will be giving a 20 minute presentation to the Inspectors (as will Cala Homes and the City Council).  Individual objectors will then be able to address the Inspectors.  Members of the public who have not objected are welcome to attend as observers
  
  

• 9 November 2004 – Public Inquiry - We have a day session to present our case to the Inspectors
  

These dates are critically important to the success of our campaign.  To show the Inspectors, the Council and Cala Homes the continued depth of concern of Winchester residents, it is imperative that as many people as possible attend the meetings above.

Thank you for your continued support and generous donations – we are more confident than ever that we can prevent this development from going ahead.

Gavin Blackman

Chairman

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The following two links will provide you with details of the current planning application.

The first link is to Winchester City Council's planning department page concerning the application. The second link is to Cala Homes own site trying to sell the idea to the people of Winchester. Their site does contain further useful information regarding their planning application but also a fair dose of spin (beware!)

  http://www.winchester.gov.uk/planning/cala/index.shtml

  http://www.winchestercitynorth.com/development_proposals.htm

To register your point of view regarding the proposed development please refer to:

  Advice on objecting to Cala Homes Planning Application for Barton Farm