http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/15112188.Appeal_lodged_to_push_through_controversial_plans_for_hundreds_of_homes_near_Winchester/

LAST week this newspaper backed calls for the expansion of Winchester, pointing out that residents cannot pull up the drawbridge and freeze the city from change, especially when most of them have benefitted from that same growth.
Cities either grow or decline, they do not stand still.
But having said that we also have two stories in this issue about housing developers who are overstepping the mark.
Linden Homes and Gladman Developments are appealing against the city council’s refusal of planning permission for major schemes at Pitt and Otterbourne.
The city council argues that the two schemes are not needed at the current time, not least because of the building of Barton Farm, also now called Kings Barton.
This newspaper urges the planning inspectors who will determine the decision, after public inquiries, to support the city council’s stance.
Whilest this newspaper argues that Winchester should grow it must also do so in an organised and sustainable way. Linden and Gladman are doing what developers do but their actions threaten to unleash a development free-for-all which is in no-one’s interests.
At some point the sites in question may be developed but it should be as a result of carefully considered discussion and consultations by elected councillors, not planning inspectors.