Winchester residents association opposes re-routing of major road into Barton Farm (From Romsey Advertiser)

Winchester residents association opposes re-routing of major road into Barton Farm

12:53pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Winchester By Joseph Curtis

Leafy: Andover Road as envisaged by Cala Homes

PLANS to divert a major Winchester road through the proposed Barton Farm development have drawn more criticism from residents.

Members of Winchester City Residents Association (WCRA) passed a motion strongly opposing moving Andover Road through the site, which would have around 2,000 homes.

Developers Cala Homes, granted outline planning permission, was originally going to keep Andover Road, but later diverted the road into the new estate after public consultation.

Changing the diversion is highly unlikely, as it is part of the outline planning permission and altering it would involve another potentially tortuous application.

But residents at the meeting on Thursday said the diversion would be dangerous to residents despite a 20mph speed limit and would increase pollution and journey times.

Robert Wellbeloved, of Orchard Close, South Wonston, said: “The entire area of Sutton Scotney and South Wonston use this road to get to Winchester and so does Worthy Down. There’s no earthly point or purpose of continuing this road through this development.”

Keith Story, of St Cross Road, added: “There are no benefits. It will cause pollution, increase journey time and cause a safety hazard to anyone living in the area.”

Michael Coker-Davies, of Upper Brook Street, said the residents needed to launch a large-scale formal protest to get something done.

He said: “If we play safe we will not get anywhere. We have to pull everyone we can get together and get 200 people with banners in Winchester High Street and close the city down.

“We have to put an awful lot of effort into this otherwise we are a whisper in the wind. It would embarrass the council and Cala would listen to us.”

The 30 members then passed a motion to publically criticise the plans.

It follows a letter to the Chronicle in January signed by more than 100 people demanding a rethink on Barton Farm.

Cala has said they welcome comments on the road but have the council’s backing to go ahead with the diversion.

The city council has also set up a Barton Farm Forum for residents to discuss ideas on the details of the full plans.