Future of Ministry of Defence sites in the Winchester district
The City Council is seeking clarification from the Ministry of Defence on its proposals for sites within the Winchester district.
The Government announced on 6 September that land at Southwick Park near Fareham – which lies within the Winchester district parish of Southwick and Widley – may be surplus to military requirements.
Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester was also subject to review but is not mentioned in the announcement.
Cllr Stephen Godfrey, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
Our priority is to clarify with the Ministry of Defence the detail of their proposals for Southwick Park and to find out what, if anything, is proposed for Sir John Moore Barracks.
In the case of the land at Southwick Park, the Ministry’s plans appear to be long-term and the City Council intends to play an active role in ensuring the future of the historic D-Day connections there.
Over Sir John Moore Barracks we have indicated that proposals for housing would be contrary to our Local Plan and, should the site be declared surplus to military requirements, our preference would be to see it retained for employment use.