Plans for huge Hampshire logistics park slammed by councillor

Those were the words of one councillor when asked for her opinion on new plans to convert approximately 200 hectares of land at West Farm, between Basingstoke and Winchester, into a logistics hub.

West Farm Popham Limited has applied to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) for permission to build the hub.

According to planning documents, the development is split into two halves, with full planning permission being sought in the first part to create a new roundabout access from the A33 to the site and an internal spine road, as well as the creation of development plots and a single warehouse and ancillary office.

The second part calls for outline planning permission for the development of employment floorspace and ancillary office space, as well as the creation of an energy centre, HGV parking and a welfare area.

The plans have been criticised by members of Winchester City Council.

Cllr Caroline Horrill, ward councillor for Wonston and Micheldever and leader of WCC’s Conservative Group, slammed the plans.

Caroline Horrill Conservative (Image: Conservative)

She said: “I think what has happened, very unfortunately, is that Basingstoke and Deane, with Popham Airfield and also this development, has not thought through the impact on neighbouring authorities. And it will not be in the same authority when the unitary comes, so there will not be the chance then to discuss the future.

“The residents of Micheldever do not want Popham (Airfield to be developed) and they do not want the logistics park. We must stand up and say no.

“There is a whole swath of land we need to be careful with.”

Cllr Jackie Porter, Liberal Democrat for The Worthys and Cabinet Member for Place and Local Plan, said that the application affects everyone in the Itchen Valley.

She said: “Because this application for the Logistics Hub is right on the edge of Winchester district with the entrances for all traffic onto the A33,  it is highly relevant for Winchester residents, especially those who live directly alongside the  A33,  for all communities from Woodmancott to the Worthys and for all users of the Cart and Horses junction onto Junction 9.

“I'm objecting to this application and I am urging others affected to object too.”

In a post on Facebook, Cllr Porter added that she had asked WCC’s planning officers to object to the site, saying: “Not only should (the logistics park) not be there at all, but nor should it be using junctions onto the A33.”

The developers website says that the proposals will support “2,755 jobs on site for Basingstoke and the surrounding areas across a broad range of skill sectors and a further 2,965 net additional jobs across the South East”, and that the park will “transform supply chain efficiency”.

More information about the plans can be found by visiting pophamlogistics.co.uk/ or by visiting the BDBC’s online planning portal and searching using reference 26/00526/FUL.