PLANS to transform a Basingstoke business park site into a new industrial development have been approved by the borough council.

An application to demolish two existing buildings in Viables Industrial Estate, replacing them with three warehouses and a pair of smaller retail units, was submitted to planners in October 2019.

The applicants say the project would bring up to 250 new jobs to the area once the new buildings are fully occupied.

And earlier this month Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council greenlit the plans, which was lodged by St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics in cooperation with the current leaseholder ITT Inc.

The project is due to begin in March and will see the demolition of the former site of ITT Defence, in Jay’s Close, and a smaller annex building which was previously used as a fitness studio.

Built in their place will be three industrial units of 37,000 sq ft, 51,000 sq ft and 97,000 sq ft, plus two 1,500 sq ft retail units.

The retail units would be used as cafes or restaurants that would serve the wider business park, which is which is due to be renamed St. Modwen Park Basingstoke.

David McGougan, senior development manager at St. Modwen Industrial and Logistics, said: “Together with ITT Inc. we are committed to delivering a wealth of job opportunities for Basingstoke.

“Our proposed development has access to a large potential workforce through its strategic location and excellent connectivity and we intend to deliver a scheme that answers the market demand for employment space.”

Currently the site can be accessed from two points on Jays Close – one entrance to the north and one to the west. A third entrance will be included in the new development, offering better access to the new retail units.

Additional parking spaces will also be provided, with a total of 195 spots serving the three main warehouses, plus 34 spaces in front of the retail units.

As the retail units will primarily serve those working on the industrial estate, it is anticipated that the majority of customers will access them on foot.

The plans also note that while the development will incur a loss of trees, replacement planting has taken place.

“Overall,” the planning statement adds, “the proposed development would involve a net gain of ten trees as a result of the landscaping scheme.”

For more information about the plans, or to view the documents in full, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search using the reference ‘19/02725/FUL’.