PLANS for Whitehill and Bordon’s new town centre will be unveiled next week.

The Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company will hold a public exhibition, on Saturday, October 7, to show new proposals for the first phase of development.

The company’s ambition is to provide “a sustainable range” of retail, food, leisure, office and community spaces to meet the “long-term needs of Whitehill and Bordon and surrounding villages”.

It says “contemporary building forms will sit comfortably alongside retained buildings” to ensure local heritage shines through the modern development.

The regeneration company will display new plans for “the heart of the town” from 2019 onward.

Earlier this year it displayed draft plans for what the town centre might look like. But now, with a planning application in the pipeline, the Regeneration Company can reveal specific proposals.

These include, along with new housing: 27 shops and restaurants; a food store; a “new arts centre, theatre/six-screen cinema” designed to “recognise the heritage of the former military site”; small business and other office spaces; a covered market and mixed-use space for community and heritage centre; landscaped public spaces and gardens including a town-centre square; underground parking, and public-transport links.

In attendance will be representatives from Engie (energy supplier), the Future Skills Centre, East Hampshire District Council, Taylor Wimpey, Hampshire County Council, The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre and the Community Trust. Residents, business owners and town centre users are being encouraged to attend to see the plans.

“Our proposals for the first phase of the town centre have progressed well since our last event in February, attended by some 900 people,” said James Child, project lead at the Regeneration Company.

“This exhibition will give people the chance to view the emerging proposals which will be submitted as a planning application shortly.

“We look forward to hearing the thoughts of the local community.”

The information will be available online from the morning of the consultation at whitehillbordonregeneration.co.uk.

The regeneration company is also holding three other events at Prince Philip Park, on Budds Lane, that day: a classic-car show from 10am and 4pm, next to the Parade Square; a Disney theme party at the Bordon Roller Rink, 5pm to 9pm; and then an open-air cinema showing of Grease, from 6.30pm, at the Parade Ground, with a prize for the best 1950s fancy dress.

* The town centre exhibition will run from 10am-4pm at Building Five, Prince Philip Park (top gate), on Budds Lane.