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 26^th 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.