Barton Farm

Winchester

An urban extension to Winchester for 2,000 new homes and associated facilities. Designed by John Thompson and Partners.

We are pleased to comment on a masterplan that has been underpinned by a detailed programme of background work with studies of the history and growth of Winchester as well as the form and character of the existing landscape. In particular, we think the analysis of the existing suburbs and the ambition to learn lessons from these developments is to be applauded. This thorough background work is an essential pre-requisite to developing a masterplan that is appropriate within its context and that will bring benefits to the city of Winchester.

It is important at this outline stage of planning that the skeleton of the masterplan is robust so that the subsequent, more detailed phases of design can build on this basis. We have a fundamental concern for the downgrading of the existing Roman road, Andover Road, to replace it with a road parallel to this as the alternative route into Winchester. Although we found much to admire in the plan as presented,
because of this major issue, we are unable to support the planning application in its current form. We appreciate that the development is now the subject of a planning application and that we are raising concerns on a fundamental aspect of the proposal. We think it is important, however, that in the interests of the viability of Winchester’s long term growth and the success of this new development, that this concern should be addressed before the planning application is determined.

Andover Road

Andover Road is one of a number of important radial routes into the city. We think downgrading this road and replacing it with a parallel road to divert traffic away from it, is detrimental to the historical integrity of Winchester. Rather than see Andover Road as a constraint to the new settlement, we think a more imaginative way of developing the new settlement should be sought that focuses development along this route rather than side-stepping it. We feel that the design modifications that were needed for the new road could be applied to Andover Road to achieve a similar result. For example, we feel that the traffic slowing measures proposed could be equally applicable to Andover Road, which would also have the economic benefit of using an existing road rather than creating a new one. We would also suggest that the existing line of mature trees could be incorporated into the new layout of the suburb.

We think the new road creates a tenuous link between the existing and proposed settlements. There are a limited number of connections across Andover Walk to give residents trouble-free access in both directions. Radial roads are renowned for being able to attract local shops, services and facilities. We think Andover Road could support a range of such facilities, giving all residents easy access to them and helping to integrate new and existing urban areas. This would also help to retain the integrity of the historical city plan with a clear pattern of radial roads.

Services and facilities

It is not clear to us whether a development of 2000 homes will provide the critical mass required to sustain the number of services and facilities proposed. It is also not apparent how this level of provision has taken into account the number and distribution of existing services and facilities in the local area. In the interests of sustainable development, it is important that the new centre builds on, rather than competes with, existing facilities.

While the idea to create a centre around the existing school is logical, we are not convinced that this will help to create the active hub that is intended. The vital link between the two settlements is where Barton Farm Green adjoins the school playing fields via Andover Walk. Given that the playing fields represent the back of the school, we are concerned that this will not provide the strong link intended. Building typology and landscape It is encouraging to see that the pattern of routes, urban blocks and open spaces has responded to the topography and the character of the landscape. A similar approach could be applied to the design of the houses by using the landscape and the analysis of the suburbs to help create new models of suburban housing.

The decision to not build on the ridge and therefore maintain Winchester’s character of green ridgelines is to be applauded. We are less convinced by the idea to create a link road around the edge of the site for buses. This could detract from the softer green edge that is being promoted. We understand the idea to permeate the development with a range of green spaces to respond to the rural setting of the site. We wonder if this approach will create a site that is too permeable and therefore make it difficult to animate so many areas of housing.

Conclusion

We appreciate that the development is now the subject of a planning application, however, we hope that, in the interests of the long term success of the site, the concerns raised, and in particular our concern about the re-direction of the Roman road, can be resolved before consent is considered. We urge the design team and the local authority to work together to revisit the site plan to make this the well-designed
and sustainable development that it could become.