CONSULTATION dates have been announced for controversial redevelopment of Barton Farm – before the plans have even been given the green light.

Cala Homes has announced it will hold two public consultations on its plans to build 2,000 homes on the land north of Winchester.

The first one is on April 23 is just 24 hours after councillors are expected to approve a planning framework that will pave the way to build on the farmland off Andover Road.

The recent Barton Farm protest

Gavin Blackman, chairman of the Save Barton Farm Group, said: “It just shows Cala are very, very confident that were they to put in a planning application after April 22 it would succeed.

“I can’t accuse Cala Homes of being arrogant. They are doing what any developer would do. They’re sensing from what they’re hearing from the council that they will get planning permission.

“The timing is obviously slightly provocative and they obviously know what they are doing. They want to get things rolling as soon as possible.

“It does not surprise us but we hope it makes people aware of our concerns about what Cala Homes are up to is not fanciful, it’s actually going to happen. They are not waiting five or ten years – they are doing it now.”

He ruled out protesting outside the developer’s exhibitions – which are being held at St Barnabas Church, Weeke on April 23 and The Guildhall on April 25 – calling them a ‘redundant exercise’.

Cala Homes’ strategic land director, Mike Emett, said: “These public exhibitions are part of a pre-application public consultation programme.

“We are not displaying any firm plans for Barton Farm at the exhibitions but we are asking for the public’s views on the form development should take if planning permission is granted.”

Mr Blackman also revealed that should the plans be approved protesters will take a 5,000-signature petition to Downing Street. He encouraged householders to lobby their councillors, many of whom he accused of hiding away from declaring an opinion on Barton Farm.

But city council leader George Beckett said that if councillors made a public statement on Barton Farm it would bar them from voting on any future planning application.