How would Winchester cope?

IF 2,000 homes were built on Barton Farm, Winchester would have to cope with about 5,000 extra people living, working and travelling around the city.

Objectors say the city would never cope: services would buckle under the pressure and roads would be clogged with the added commuters.

Gavin Blackman, from the Save Barton Farm group, said: "How is it going to be facilitated, given the narrow streets of Winchester?

"It's about the ancillary infrastructure - swathes of roads, roundabouts, flyovers, underpasses, ring roads. We have to have this - there's no other way. And these roads are going to take over more countryside. Something has to give."

But Cala Homes, who would build the houses if the reserve site was needed, say they have compiled a "strategy" which relies mainly on public transport.

The developer's glossy Barton Farm brochure claims schools, shops, the railway station and the city centre are all within 2km of the site.

"A new bus priority link could be provided, and existing pedestrian and cycleway links will be extended into the site," says the report.

"Links to the railway station will encourage the use of the train for longer journeys."

There are also concerns that, unless employment is provided near Barton Farm, the city's already crowded train route to London would be swamped with extra commuters.

Railtrack say there are no plans to extend Winchester station - even though Cala Homes would encourage Barton Farm residents to use the station via bus links.

Cala Homes say "a range of commercial activities" would be built into the housing development, and a new hotel or sports centre could be built to serve the city.

Barbara Bryant, chief executive of the North Hants Chamber of Commerce, said the development would boost Winchester's economy, but the right infrastructure would be needed.

"Winchester's economic business needs developing, and business development in parallel with residential development will help reduce outward commuting. But it should only happen if additional appropriate employment is developed in the vicinity, and ideally on site.

"What we want to do is maximise employment in Winchester, and keep people working in town rather than filling up the transport infrastructure. Winchester does need this development."

Protesters also fear added demand on health services would mean some people do not receive the right care.

Mr Blackman said: "No doubt they will make provision but will they make enough provision and where? Do they build another hospital, and where do they build it - on another greenfield site?"

A spokesman for the Mid Hants Primary Care Trust, which buys services from Hampshire Ambulance and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, as well as funding GPs and dentists, said: "Our financial allocation is based on the population we serve.

"This is reviewed by the Government on a regular basis, to take account of any changes. We would be involved at an early stage to understand the likely needs of the population increase, and then we would work with the health and care community to develop the required services."

However, another health official, who wished to remain nameless, warned that it often takes a while for NHS services to catch up with population boosts. Although the housing review is taken into account, central government dishes out money according the number of people living in an area, he said, not for the proposed population.

Earlier this year, Winchester MP, Mark Oaten, spoke out about the growing pressures on GPs in the city, who are having to cope with the increasing population.

St Paul's surgery, in Oram's Mount, Friarsgate Medical Centre and St Clement's surgery all say they've had to turn patients away because their books were full.

Schooling is another issue which must be well thought-out if the housing development were to go ahead.

Extra places would have to be found in Winchester's schools.

The school organisation plan for the next four years, published in June, says primary schools should be within walking distance of the homes of pupils.

Jane Parker, Winchester City Council planning officer, said one new school would be built with the houses at Barton Farm.

"There will undoubtedly be a need for one more primary school," she said.

"We do work with the developer and expect them to pay a contribution towards the cost of the school. In theory the impact on existing services should be minimised."

However, Winchester secondary schools are currently oversubscribed by 20% and, by 2007, this is expected to drop by only 10%.

Cala Homes say it would be bound by conditions and legal agreements to provide schools and nurseries.

Aside from health services, schools, roads and employment, Winchester City Council must also consider the potential impact of the development on the city's leisure facilities, library services, parks and public transport.

"The issue is not just about houses on a piece of land north of Winchester. It's going to have repercussions on the whole city," warned Mr Blackman.