Proposals to bring hundreds of new homes and jobs to a former Ministry of Defence barracks in Whitehill & Bordon have been submitted by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The HCA has put forward an outline planning application for 500 new and affordable homes and around 3 hectares of employment space at its Louisburg Barracks site. If the plans are approved, a new construction skills training centre is expected to be built as part of the development. It is expected that the employment space would help create around 500 jobs, which would provide a significant economic boost for the area. This project has already received funding support from the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The application to East Hampshire District Council also includes the first phase of a new relief road which would enable access to the site and ease congestion around the town. Government funding for this work has been secured by the HCA and would be delivered by Hampshire County Council starting next spring if the plans are approved.
It comes just after plans to deliver 100 new homes and employment space at the former Quebec Barracks were approved by East Hampshire District Council in July.
Kevin Bourner, HCA Head of Area, said: “This proposal forms an important and early stage of the transformation of Whitehill & Bordon into a sustainable and thriving community. These plans would bring hundreds of new homes and jobs to the area and unlock significant investment in East Hampshire.
"We’ve achieved a great deal since we bought this site last year and hope to have a development partner in place by early next year so that work can start soon afterwards. I hope these proposals get a positive response from local people who want to see a quality development with new homes and jobs brought to Whitehill & Bordon.”
Cllr Richard Millard, Deputy Leader of East Hampshire District Council and Portfolio Holder for Commercial Contracts, said: “It’s an exciting time for the regeneration project. The transformation of Louisburg, along with the recently approved plans for Quebec Park, will see Whitehill & Bordon flourish over the next few years. The town’s regeneration is a top priority for the council.”
Cllr Adam Carew, local district councillor and chairman of the consultation group ‘Our Voice’, said: “Starting the formal planning process for Louisburg Barracks marks another important milestone for the regeneration of the town and brings us closer to our goal of providing a great quality of life for residents.”
A decision on the application is expected in September.