A COUNTY councillor for Basingstoke has said the potential junction seven location for the town's new hospital would "save lives" - and should be put ahead of other possible occupiers on the site.

Cllr Stephen Reid, for Basingstoke South West and cabinet member on Hampshire County Council, said: "The Hospital Trust has announced that one of the two potential sites for Basingstoke's new hospital is near Junction 7 of the M3. That's a great location, because of its accessibility for ambulances. It's a site that can save lives."

Referencing previous permission granted by the borough council for a Critical Treatment Hospital on the site, which was never built, Cllr Reid said: "They need now to keep faith with that vision for Basingstoke, and do everything they can to help the new hospital get off the ground. The new hospital is likely to need more than a new building for itself. Support facilities may also be required - possibly a science park.

"I believe the borough council should therefore turn down the planning application for a distribution depot close by. Its proposed site is outside the Settlement Policy Boundary in the current local plan and the presumption for that site is therefore against allowing it to be developed. Turning it down would give the borough council time to see how the hospital plans progress and enable it to draw up a comprehensive vision for the South West of Basingstoke."

It comes after the Gazette revealed that Amazon looks set to take one of four warehouses proposed on Oakdown Farm, adjacent to Junction 7 of the M3.

"Some people might say that the two should not be linked: it will be possible to have a new hospital and the distribution depot. At this stage they can't know that," said Cllr Reid.

"The traffic analysis for the depot is not completed, nor is it known what the hospital might generate. That information is needed if the Development Control committee is to make an informed decision. The last thing we want is to see the depot built and then find that it has jeopardised the hospital.

"The borough council is about to publish a draft vision for this corner of Basingstoke. That is wise. That report is not yet adopted and councillors will wish to consider these matters in depth. So my plea is for the Council to turn down the application for a depot, get all the facts together and then make decisions for South West Basingstoke in a joined-up manner."