Cala finally gets the nod for 2,000 homes

Cala-Barton-Farm-CGI-570

Housebuilder Cala Group has been given the go-ahead for its long-running proposals to build 2,000 homes at Barton Farm in Winchester, Hampshire.

The developer has been promoting the site for 14 years and this week was finally give the green light by communities minister Eric Pickles.

Some 800 of the homes will be affordable.

Robert Millar, Cala’s group land director, said: “Coming so soon on the back of stimulus packages designed to support the construction industry, we feel this decision provides a major boost to the entire housebuilding sector and reaffirms the coalition’s stance on the role the housebuilding industry can play in supporting a wider economic recovery.”

In its recent year-end results, Cala report a massive increase in pretax profits, before exceptionals, to £11.4m, up from just £2m a year earlier.

The group has also reduced its debt by almost £18m to £98.4m.

samantha.mcclary@estatesgazette.com