Your recent coverage of the future of the Sir John Moore Barracks site highlights the development dilemmas of the MoD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Winchester City Council (WCC).

Littleton and Harestock Parish Council (LHPC) has never opposed the building of new homes on the existing barracks area and recognises other community benefits that could accrue from this development. Yet at the same time, LHPC recognises the once in a lifetime opportunity to protect its valuable wildlife and open spaces.

However, there remains a fundamental flaw at the heart of the scheme, given the DIO’s intention to build 175 larger homes on the Northern Fields. Both the DIO and WCC have ignored recognising that there is a material planning constraint on their wish to build on these Northern Fields. This open greenfield area has been declared a candidate Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) due to its rare wildlife including 1 red list species and 13 nationally notable species.

The reputable National Biodiversity Network’s State of Nature 2023 Report confirms the UK’s classification as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. WCC made its own declaration of a Nature Emergency last year, so the intention to permit building on this area is even more unfathomable.

With parallel consultations now underway for both the DIO’s masterplan and WCC’s Local Plan (Regulation 19), now is the time for residents and wildlife groups to call “foul” and respond by urging both these bodies to think again and give nature a chance in support of the Parish Council’s vision for a balanced future for the site.

Cllr David Tozer

Vice Chair, Littleton & Harestock Parish Council

Harestock