RESIDENTS got their first glimpse of a new health campus planned for the edge of Southampton.

Open to the public, the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust teamed up with developers Prime to hold a consultation on Wednesday at Lordshill Community Centre.

As reported, the plans will see the next generation of medical professionals trained on the site, which could be a mixture of NHS buildings and external companies conducting research and healthcare next to a new 1,000 space park-and-ride for the hospital.

Formal plans are yet to be drawn up, though bosses say they hope to have a planning application drawn up before the end of the year. Based at Adanac Park, Nursling, the site will be used mainly by University Hospital Southampton, as well as other health groups in the area on the Bargain Farm site off Brownhill Way. The reaction from residents was mixed, though most agreed the main issue would be traffic from the M271.

Nael Clarke, commercial director at UHS, said: “We were really pleased to be able to share your idea for this exciting development with staff and the local community and provide further information as well as answer questions.

“All the feedback we received will now be reviewed and taken into consideration before we look to submit an outline planning application by the end of the year.”

Margaret Wright, 61, of Redbridge, said: “I agree that Southampton General Hospital has a car parking problem. I think taking traffic away from the hospital is a good idea with a health campus. My concern would be traffic building from the motorways.”

Chas Kirkham, 67, lives off nearby Brownhill Way, and said he was pleased with the plans. He said: “There might be an issue with turning left out of my road, but that’s a small price to pay. Southampton deserves good quality healthcare.”

Ewan Forsyth, development director at Prime PLC said: “We believe this project has the potential to provide a long-term parking solution for hospital staff and the opportunity to create buildings which enrich the provision of healthcare in the local area. We’re glad to have received positive comments.”

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