DEVELOPERS claim their plans to build on Hampshire Police's former 'white elephant' site once intended as the force's new headquarters will create more than 180 jobs.

They have put forward plans to demolish an existing industrial building and build three new ones at Alpha Park in Chandler's Ford, investing up to £20m in the local economy.

The 8.5-acre site on the School Lane industrial estate currently has a vacant factory, previously used by an electronics manufacturer, and was formerly owned by Hampshire Police.

These buildings would be demolished in a separate planning application.

Developer Bericote Properties Ltd has bought the site and plans to invest £17 to 20m transforming it with the new units, which would be used as warehouse storage or distribution centres.

The company says it has interested parties for all the units and an agreement for the second building with a firm that would provide around 100 jobs on its own and has calculated its figures based on the usual job numbers provided by such units.

The site, which is accessed off School Close and Electron Way, would have buildings totalling 13,812sqm of floorspace on two levels, 143 parking spaces and would be in 24 hour use.

It is bordered by the Alpha Brook along one side, with homes in Monmouth Close beyond, and industrial buildings.

The first building would be divided into four terraced industrial units and would have 28 car parking spaces and a service area.

The second building would have 37 car parking spaces with two service yards and the third larger unit 78 car parking spaces with additional HGV parking.

Developers say they will put up acoustic barriers to shield residents.

However, despite this concerns have been raised about noise.

Valley Park Parish Council has objected to the service area behind residential properties in Burnham Beeches, some only 40 metres away, saying with 24-hour working residents will be disturbed even with a barrier.

It wants the service area moved, only electric forklift trucks used, sufficient parking to prevent employees parking on surrounding roads and operations outside of 7am to 6.15pm restricted to inside.

As previously reported, Alpha Park was described as a “white elephant” after being bought by Hampshire Police for £9.8m in 2008 and sold at a loss late last year subject to a survey.

The building stood empty for more than six years and by May 2013 had cost £1.8m just to maintain and keep secure.

Stewart Dunn, Chair of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce welcomed the proposal and said he was not surprised the site had proved attractive already due to its good railway and motorway links.

He said warehouse or distribution activity could also facilitate more activity at Southampton docks by providing a holding hub for exporting and importing and helping the current a shortage of such land to support the docks in surrounding areas.

"In terms of job creation it's excellent news and actually outlines what a key area we are for attracting companies," he added.

The application will be considered by Test Valley Borough Council.