Outrage at 5,000 homes in Constable’s heaven
A RURAL landscape which inspired the paintings of John Constable could be “concreted over” if a plan to build 5,000 homes is given the go- ahead.
The area is under threat from developers who want to create an entire town including three schools, a park- and- ride scheme and a health centre – all powered by three solar farms.
Local historian Dave Key said the piece of countryside, perched on the edge of the South Downs between the village of Hursley and Winchester, had an “incredible history”.
He said: “The sweeping downland has been commented on by writers and artists from the earliest travel writers like Daniel Defoe to figures such as John Constable.
“The plans include massive solar farms being stuck up, with one to be built on some of that beautiful unspoiled downland.” Constable painted three views of the landscape from Hursley House – a Hampshire mansion used by engineers developing the Spitfire in the Second World War.
The northerly aspect is the site of the proposed “Royaldown” development.
County councillor and Hursley resident Jan Warwick said: “The history can be traced back to King Alfred fighting the Danes, Constable, and then to the development of the Spitfire. It feels wrong to overshadow all of that.”
Winchester MP Steve Brine said: “These proposals would see Hursley become nothing more than a row of houses, a couple of pubs and a few shops that sit around a very busy road.
“We will not protect our environment by concreting over vast swathes of the country.” A spokesman for the Lightwood Group consultancy said: “This scheme has been put forward as there is an ongoing requirement to deliver new homes within the local plan.”
He claimed the project would have “climate change at its heart”.
Winchester City Council confirmed plans for the site – owned by a single landowner – had been submitted for debate.