PLANS to build a huge, brand new business park in Basingstoke are underway with up to 250 jobs expected to be created as a result.

The 11 acres of land in Viables is set to become St Modwen Park Basingstoke, as part of the wider Viables Business Park area.

Construction will start this month with parts of the site set to be complete by July, a spokesman for St Modwen Industrial & Logistics said.

Planning permission was granted last year. The freehold to the land is owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the leasehold is rented by manufacturers ITT Inc.

A spokesman for St Modwen said: "As part of the agreement, St. Modwen will create new employment space in response to strong occupier demand and has permission to deliver up to 200,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space.

"As per the agreed timetable for the development, units at the site will be available as early as Q3 2021, creating up to 250 new jobs once occupied."

David McGougan, of St Modwen Industrial & Logistics, said: “St Modwen Park Basingstoke forms part of our strategy to grow a high-quality industrial and logistics portfolio. After obtaining planning permission at the start of this year, our breakthrough development agreement reaffirms our intention to press on with these plans and deliver an industry-leading employment scheme for Basingstoke. The terms we’ve agreed will enable us to fulfil the local authority’s aspiration to deliver regeneration and drive employment.”

Ravi Patel, Director of European Shared Services at ITT Inc, added: “We’re completely aligned with St. Modwen’s ambition to transform this site – their regeneration and industrial and logistics credentials speak for

themselves. Now that terms are settled and the agreement is signed, we look forward to delivering an employment space that is fit for market demand together.”

Cllr John Izett, cabinet member for regeneration and property, added: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with St. Modwen which will enable the company to redevelop this site near the M3 for a new logistics park, creating 250 high quality local jobs once complete.

He added: "This investment and the new jobs it will bring is especially welcome at a time when the priority is on recovering from the effects of COVID-19. It demonstrates Basingstoke remains open for business.”

For more information, visit: stmodwenlogistics.co.uk/property/st-modwen-park-basingstoke