New Winchester MP opposes Micheldever new town and Popham ‘garden village’

Liberal Democrat Danny Chambers, the new MP for Winchester, has stated publicly that he opposes John Magnier and O’Flynn Group’s plans for the new town at Micheldever, as well as Basingstoke Council’s proposal for a 3,000 ‘garden village’ on Popham Airfield.

Responding to a Dever Society member before yesterday’s General Election, Mr Chambers said: “I strongly support the line the [Liberal Democrat-controlled Winchester City Council] are taking and the work they are doing to block both developments [Micheldever new town and Popham ‘garden village’] through the local planning process. My Liberal Democrat colleagues are absolutely committed to having a sound Local Plan, but neither of these two sites is sustainable. If any new Government attempts to resuscitate a new town programme at a national level, and it looks likely that this will pose a risk to our area, I will oppose a new town at Micheldever through this route as well.”

The Dever Society’s welcomes Mr Chambers’ opposition to the two proposals. “After battling against a large new town at Micheldever for over 30 years, we are very grateful that our new MP is continuing the history of strong support we have had from all Winchester’s MPs since 1990. The new government’s policy of building large new towns across England could open the door to a massive new town incorporating Micheldever and Popham, and we will be working very closely with Danny Chambers to lobby against this. We will also be contacting the new Labour MP for Basingstoke, Luke Murphy, whose constituency includes Popham Airfield, to make our case.”