A scheme to build 500 new homes and create three hectares of employment space on the site of a former Ministry of Defence (MOD) barracks in Hampshire has had its outline planning application approved by East Hampshire District Council.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has already started looking for a development partner to produce detailed proposals for the project on the Louisburg Barracks site in Whitehill and Bordon. This partner will be selected before the end of the year.
The District Council’s decision supports the building of a new construction skills training centre as part of the development, to help create around 500 jobs. The application also included the first phase of a new relief road to enable access to the site and ease congestion around the town.
Work is expected to start on the road by next spring and is supported by around £10M in investment from the HCA.
This project is an early phase of local plans to build around 3,500 new homes and create up to 5,500 jobs as part of a sustainable new community in Whitehill and Bordon after the relocation MOD training operations from the town next year.
Plans for 100 new homes and employment space at the nearby former Quebec Barracks were backed by the Council in July.
HCA head of area Kevin Bourner said: “This is another positive step towards bringing forward real and positive change in Whitehill and Bordon, with high quality new homes and jobs that the area needs.
“There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done and we remain committed to bringing forward these exciting and transformational plans for the area.”
East Hampshire District Council deputy leader Richard Millard said: “It is a really exciting time for Whitehill and Bordon residents and I can't wait to see work starting on the site.”
