The Regeneration Company will unveil the plans for what is being branded as Hampshire’s Green Town, which will bring an anticipated 7,000 more residents into Whitehill and Bordon.
The company is a joint venture between Dorchester Regeneration and Taylor Wimpey on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Org-anisation. The Regneration Company, as applicant, rec-eived outline planning permission, in April, to regenerate and improve the built environment of Whitehill and Bordon.
A section-106 agreement for the project, designed to outline the developers’ contributions to the area, is expected to be signed next month and detailed plans are now being developed for the first phase of housing and a new town centre.
Plans involve transforming the historic Prince Philip Barracks site into 2,400 homes, in addition to creating a new town centre when the Bordon Garrison closes later this year. Building work could start next year.
The new town centre is planned to feature new shops, offices, cafes, restaurants, a food store, a cinema and a new leisure centre, including a six-lane swimming pool.
New sports pitches and a secondary school will be created, while the existing primary school will be extended. The delivery of a cultural centre and a comprehensive top-of-the-range health facility, including nursing home services, is also anticipated.
The conversion of the existing 133-acre Hogmoor Inclosure into a green space for the community will mean that Whitehill and Bordon will have the third largest Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace in the country.
This is aimed at protecting and enhancing some of the existing open green spaces for residents.
James Child, project leader at the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, said: “We are committed to creating a balanced neighbourhood and linking the existing town communities with the new.
“The consultation will offer an important opportunity to continue our extensive programme of engagement with local residents, businesses, councillors and other stakeholders in the planning and design process, allowing as many people as possible to have the opportunity to help shape the future of this exciting scheme.
“The redevelopment of the Prince Philip Barracks will be a major milestone for Whitehill and Bordon, providing much-needed, high-quality new homes and the facilities residents need to help sustain this local community. We are delighted to play a vital role in its transformation and look forward to sharing our vision at the consultation.”
It is estimated that more than 7,000 people will move into the town community by the time the scheme, expected to take around 15 years to develop, is complete.
As well as providing new homes to meet the national shortage and demand in the local area, the redevelopment and new town centre are expected to create 3,000 new jobs - a substantial contribution towards the overall target of 5,500 new jobs in the regeneration plans for the town as a whole.
Plans and a model of the proposed transformation of the Prince Philip Barracks site will be available to view at the consultation, while architects and the development team will be on hand to answer any questions from the community.
Ferris Cowper, leader of East Hampshire District Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to take a look at the plans for their new town centre.
“This is set to transform a lot of lives, providing high-quality shopping, night-time economy facilities, new jobs, leisure facilities, a new care home and improved health and wellbeing facilities, as well as new schools, parks and homes.
“I urge anyone who is interested in Whitehill and Bordon’s transformation to come along and get involved.”