RESIDENTS adjoining the new 2,000-home development raised their concerns at the Barton Farm Forum.

They raised their fears significant vibrations from the site could be damaging local properties.

Mike Toosey, of Andover Road, said that the building works were vibrating his house and his upstairs floor was ‘shuddering’.

He criticised the amount of dust and that his car was regularly covered from the construction works for the development now called Kings Barton.

The chairman of the meeting Cllr Caroline Horrill said that the dust problem was one that needed to be solved as soon as possible.

Of greatest concern to Mr Toosey was the proposed traffic lights on Andover Road which would be on either side of his driveway.

He said to the Chronicle after the meeting: “I think the current design is ill conceived and unsafe. If I was to put a driveway between existing traffic lights it would not be allowed. I would like an alternative to be investigated. I would like them relocated away from my drive and moved closer to Stoney Lane.”

The risk of inadequate drainage and the risk of flooding was also raised by residents.

Jane Balfour, of Harestock Road, said that she was concerned with the potential increase in traffic pollution and congestion and was concerned that Harestock Road was one of the only roads without traffic monitoring.

Derek Rutherford, of Andover Road, said that he had also noticed that his house had been shaking due to the building works and raised concerns over flood risks and he felt that too many trees had been felled.

The council reminded residents that Chris Hughes was the implementation officer who was available to talk with CALA Homes.

Two neighbouring parish councils also expressed concerns. Cllr Kelsie Learney spoke on behalf of Littleton and Harestock and their concern was of increased traffic. She asked for cycle ways and footpaths to be integrated with existing ones. Headbourne Worthy Parish Council also had concerns of increased traffic.

The forum heard that the development would have 40 per cent affordable housing and these would be split between ‘affordable rental’ and ‘shared equity’ properties.

One archaeological point of note was that an Anglo-Saxon building had been discovered in December and this was excavated and documented. Few artefacts were found but the building fills a gap in the use of the area between the Roman and Medieval periods.

Representatives of CALA attended and reassured residents that they wouldn’t be any worsening of existing drainage, that they would be looking into dust control, and vibration levels.

At the end of the meeting Council Officer Susan Croker, head of landscape and open spaces, said that CALA Homes were to give a 125-year lease of 33 hectares of land to Winchester City Council for a peppercorn rent, to create a new nature reserve.

The Barton Meadow Nature Reserve as it will be known, will be managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The plan is to create a recreational area of chalk grassland which will be grazed by British White Cattle. Crops are to be removed by August of this year, it will be reseeded in September and by March 2018 it is hoped that the land will be ready for grazing.

Wardening of the Barton Meadows Nature Reserve has already started and it is officially set up on Thursday May 11 at 2.30pm. The new nature reserve was welcomed by all present.