News
Redevelopment of Bushfield Camp delayed again
The redevelopment of Bushfield Camp has been delayed for a sixth time due to ongoing concerns over the wider impacts of the project.
There are plans to use the 100-acre land that – a former WWII army base – for a business park including academic accommodation, sports and leisure centres and 60 acres of accessible green space.
The site, currently owned by the Church Commissioners, has been unused since the 1970s, but plays host to a range of plants and wild animals.
The application to repurpose the land was submitted in 2021 by the letting agents Lichfields, and has since reached the stage in the process where public consultation has concluded, and as the agents await professional consultation before receiving the verdict.
The developers had anticipated that the determination of the application would have been received by spring of this year.
However, National Highways has delayed giving their professional advisory comments to Winchester City Council six times this year, which would give the council sufficient information as to whether the application should be approved.
The issue that has complicated and postponed the approval of the plans is the single entrance/exit of the proposed business park, which is expected to go onto Badger Farm Road, which leads directly to the M3 through J11.
As per National Highways comments, submitted on 26th November, the proposals “have potential to impact on the safe and efficient operation of Strategic Road Network (SRN), in this case the M3”.
These concerns have been similarly shared by locals.
Ali Cochrane, a campaigner of “Save Bushfield Camp” from the new development, had previously highlighted the dangers of diverting more traffic onto the main road.
“The roads are already jampacked; if anybody knows Winchester they know that at half past eight, going up Badger Farm Road from St Cross Road… it is a standstill.
“That’s going to affect not only our quality of life, but also our quality of air,” she said.
Communities are encouraged to buy a poppy as this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is launched in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
The annual fundraising campaign supports members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, personnel and their families.
The Poppy Appeal remains the Legion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Last year, more than 32 million poppies were distributed across the UK, and about £51.4 million was raised in donations.
Chris Hayward is managing the Poppy Appeal in North Hampshire & Winchester and said: “Wearing a poppy during Remembrance time shows that you care.”
“It’s a national symbol, and it shows the armed forces community that you appreciate everything that they do.”
She added: “For those who want to get involved, you can wear your poppy, donate to the Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, and also participate in the collections and volunteer as a collector.”
Winchester will be recognising remembrance itself, with a service at the Cathedral on Sunday, 9th November, in addition to a service at Winchester Guildhall at 11 am on Armistice Day.
The service will begin at 9:20 am and will include a procession from The Broadway to Winchester Cathedral, as well as wreath laying too.
Donations from the campaign go towards services including mental health support, housing assistance and employment advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or order poppies online, visit: britishlegion.org.uk/poppyappeal.
Until 2093, asteroid 2025 PN7 will be sharing the Earth’s orbit.
You may have seen circuiting on social media a myth that the Earth has two moons from now until 2083 – sadly, that’s science fiction.
In August of this year astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7.
It is considered a quasi-moon as it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth.
According to Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Centre, the asteroid has been travelling “alongside Earth for 60 years”.
Due to the size of the asteroid, it wasn’t discovered until this summer.
Astronomy fans hoping to see a second moon in the sky are out of luck.
The asteroid is too small and far away to be seen by the naked eye or regular telescopes.
The number of asteroids in Earth-like orbit has been known to exceed 100.
Some orbit alongside the Earth for merely months, whereas others years or decades.
Currently, six other quasi-moons have been recorded near Earth.
Cardiff is the first UK city to introduce a “tax” for SUVs weighing over 2.4 tonnes.
The tax is to be enforced in residential permit areas, and also includes cars that are powered by diesel.
Cardiff Council is hoping that implementing this will improve congestion, the air quality, and create space on pavements.
The exact cost has yet to be announced, but the council has announced it will be releasing the tax in phases.
Winchester is a relatively small city with many residential permit areas – the question of a similar initiative being introduced locally has arisen.
Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council chose not to respond to Winchester News Online, with Winchester City Council stating that it is not a subject a councillor is likely to comment on, as it is an issue relevant to Cardiff and not yet an issue to Winchester.
Though the council does not yet deem this a possibility, it has gotten the public talking.
Jet Gates, a disability campaigner, said:
“It’s going to have a massive impact on disabled people across the UK
“We are a highly marginalized group in society – it’s just yet another nail in the coffin.”
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