A NEW masterplan to turn an army barracks in Winchester into housing has been presented to the public.

Sir John Moore Barracks, to be vacated by the military in 2026, will be transformed under the new scheme into a residential estate of between 750 and 1,000 houses.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has now revealed its plans to the community at a series of drop-in events, releasing blueprints of its proposal.

The master plan proposes 40 per cent affordable housing; walking and cycling links; a heritage trail; retaining mature woodland; and up to 1.9 hectares of sports playing fields. 

READ MORE: Sir John Moore Barracks Winchester: New masterplan to be launched

The plans for Sir John Moore Barracks (Image: DIO)

At two events last week, on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 September at Littleton Memorial Hall and Weeke Community Centre, DIO representatives explained the blueprints to anyone who cared come along.

This is the third stage of public consultation following initial events last November and December, and a series of open workshops between December and May. There was also a guided site tour for nearly 100 people who signed up for the event to walk the space and experience the scale of the site and the opportunity it presents. 

Considering its location two miles out of the city centre, one of the main issues surrounding the new complex is transport.

Several members of the public, all anonymous, have commented on the plans using the interactive online map provided by the DIO.

Many comments are concerned about the park and ride. One user said: “I am disappointed to see how small the park and ride is. I think Winchester needs more park and ride space on the north side to prevent people driving into Winchester from this side.”

Another wrote: “This park and ride seems way too small – given the Barton farm one isn’t going ahead now, there is a real need for a large park and ride north of the city to be able to limit the volume of traffic down Andover Road/Winchester Avenue.”

SEE ALSO: Sir John Moore Barracks: Parish council opposes to section

Others expressed concern about turning natural areas into housing. Another comment read: “I don’t like the use of this area of nature-rich oasis being used for housing given there are many acres of depleted arable land on the other side of Andover Road.”

Some were positive about the plans. One person wrote: "It is great you are re-using buildings. There is so much embodied carbon in construction that to knock it down is wastefulness that we cannot afford in the climate crisis."

Another added: "Great to have a waterbody for people and nature to enjoy far from the Itchen River."

Others were keen to see plans for a sports complex. One wrote: "Winchester desperately needs another swimming pool and sports complex.

"Ideally, a company like David Lloyd could develop the existing site, but even just allowing access to Winchester residents to another pool would ease pressure on current facilities."

Robert Smith, head of major disposals at the DIO Estate Division within the MOD, previously said: "It is important to us that we create a proposal that balances the various constraints and opportunities on site to deliver an exciting new neighbourhood and community for Winchester that celebrates the legacy of the site while promoting sustainability and biodiversity."

Feedback from the consultation events will be reviewed before a refined concept masterplan is presented to Winchester City Council's cabinet for formal consideration, before a final stage of public consultation prior to the submission of an outline planning application.

The DIO intends to submit the planning application to Winchester City Council in the spring of next year, hoping to have it approved by summer.

It then plans to start work on the site in Winter 2026 or 2027, with the first houses to be “delivered” not before 2027.

The full plans and interactive map can be viewed at sirjohnmoorewinchester.co.uk