Dear kind supporter,

Winchester City Council's Local Plan consultation closes tomorrow. If you haven't already done so then please respond urgently. 

Clear opposition is critical if we are to get this off the agenda as quickly as possible. If you are short of time just cut and paste or adapt this letter (or send it as is) to the email address below.

Thank you again for your valued support!

The Save South Winchester Campaign Group

To: planningpolicy@winchester.gov.uk

Strategic Planning Department

Winchester City Council

City Offices
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LJ

Dear Sir/Madam,

I believe that the most important function of a Local Plan is to agree how and where to provide homes for our current and future needs.  The vision in the current Local Plan is not appropriate for inclusion in the new Local Plan, as it was drafted some years ago before the huge changes from COVID-19 and the commitment to tackle climate change.  The Winchester Town Forum’s Winchester 2030 document focuses on Winchester City Centre and although this is important, it only represents one third of the district.  Where the homes go is essential to meet the needs of residents across the whole District, including our market towns, the National Park and rural communities.

Homes for All

Winchester City Council has presented four options for housing growth, based on three “spatial areas” (Winchester Town, South Hampshire Urban Areas, and Market Towns & Rural Area) and one strategic allocation with no specific location. However, these area boundaries are not clearly defined or shown on a map.

The four options differ in allocation of housing in these spatial areas; however they either do not make best use of previously developed land; or they imply substantial sprawl of Winchester through Oliver’s Battery to Hursley and Compton.

A 5th option is preferable to all 4 of the proposed options; it would:

•  Work alongside the existing supply of housing in the District, which stands at over 11,000 homes.

•  Use brownfield and previously developed sites across the District, minimising the need to develop greenfield land.

•  Redevelop the City Centre to tackle the challenges of declining retail, including new homes to bring new life.

•  Develop some areas in the south Hampshire urban areas close to the larger centres along the south coast.

•  Allow small developments in-keeping with the character of the market towns and villages, including those in the National Park, which would meet local needs and support local communities.

•  Be the best option to support a Green Belt to restrict the threat of development spread

The Hampshire Green Belt

A new Green Belt could cover land to the south west of Winchester town and protect both the rural parishes and the shape and setting of Winchester City. It would stop urban sprawl and merging of settlements, force development onto brownfield and previously developed land including central Winchester. It could limited “in-keeping” development of existing settlements, making maximum use of existing infrastructure. A large speculative development such as Royaldown (which, contrary to its own publicity, would be car-based and not contribute to sustainable development) would be stopped.

I/we urge you to take account of my/our views, make option 5 the preferred choice for new sustainable housing and provide for a new Green Belt south of Winchester in our new Local Plan.

Yours sincerely

Your Name and Your Address