Winchester City Council has just published its “Pre-Submission” stage Core Strategy for a period of consultation from 25 January 2012 until 5pm on the 12 March 2012. The Core Strategy will guide development within the District (including the area within the South Downs National Park) for the next twenty years.
In a fit of nostalgia, and in common with many local authorities, Winchester have reverted back to the old name of a “Local Plan”. But this is semantic – the document has to fulfil the statutory requirements of a Core Strategy.
There is lots in there to digest but the significant headline is where the Council propose to distribute the 11,000 new homes, 2,000 of which will be built at Barton Farm north of Winchester where the Council has vigorously opposed development for years. The other major chunks of new urban development are proposed to be north of Whitely and west of Waterlooville.
Following this consultation the document will be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination.
Pure Town Planning are always happy to advise on the implications on forthcoming planning policies and can help submit representations on your behalf – please give us a call to find out how we can assist.