THE future of threatened downland on the edge of Winchester could be secured if the city council allows a business park to be built on a redundant Army base.
The city council and landowner, the Church Commissioners, have discussed the securing of public access to Bushfield Down as a benefit from a development on the former barracks.
A full meeting of council recently agreed to support the idea, dubbed a “knowledge park”, in its planning development framework which will guide development over the next 20 years. It is understood that the Church Commissioners will offer to give up most of the site should it be allowed to develop the camp.
The land, potentially flower-rich chalk grassland between Badger Farm Road, the railway line and Whiteshute Ridge, would be maintained forever as public open space.
The commissioners have been trying to develop the land for at least 30 years, previously suggesting housing and superstores.
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