A BASINGSTOKE retail park which has been in the town for more than 30 years is set to be knocked down and replaced with ‘commercial accommodation’.

Equation Properties Limited is preparing a planning application to redevelop the eight-acre Brighton Hill Retail Park to provide commercial accommodation which would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, creating between 184 and 415 new full-time jobs.

Read more: The Camrose ground to be used as site compound during Brighton Hill Roundabout works

However, concerns have been raised about the proposals by local councillors, who believe it could cause noise disturbance and traffic problems.

The company has shared its vision for the retail park and said: “The site has been in decline over the last couple of years, seeing increased vacancies following the opening of the St Michael’s Retail Park development next to the site.

“The redevelopment of this site will provide commercial space whilst retaining the fast-food provision, safeguarding this important employment facility and securing new jobs for local people, helping boost the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

As part of its plans, the existing McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru would remain with access from Winchester Road, while all the other retail units would be knocked down and replaced with two new terraced buildings, providing 14,936 of ‘employment floorspace’.

The retail park has seen various businesses move out in recent years, including Toys R Us which closed in March 2018; Pizza Hut which shut in September 2020; and Office Outlet.

Currys/PC World relocated to the next-door St Michael’s Retail Park last year.

DFS and Carpetright are still based in the retail park.

It is understood the new development, known as Radius Park, would be used as warehouses or for industrial purposes.

Electric vehicle charging points and cycle parking, along with car parking facilities, would also be provided.

Equation Properties described the plans as “an opportunity to redevelop an existing brownfield site, relieving pressure on the need to develop on greenfield land”.

Councillor Andy Konieczko, Liberal Democrat borough councillor for Brighton Hill, said he is concerned about the impact of it being a 24-hour operation.

He said: “That means noise and lights affecting neighbouring homes. We already have issues with St Michael’s Retail Park which has a 24-hour seven gym and residents have issues with noise and car headlights and when the barriers fail which they have there’s anti-social behaviour. That is a major concern.”

He is also concerned about the impact on traffic in the area and said: “It’s going to have an impact on Harrow Way and Brighton Hill Roundabout and could lead to congestion.”

Cllr Konieczko is also worried about the height of the proposed facility, which be believes is “significantly higher than the existing retail units”.

“There could be issues with blocking existing views to natural light,” he said.

However, he said councillors will wait to see the application, and hopes the developers have listened to feedback given last year regarding these concerns.

Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor, Cllr Ron Hussey, also raised concerns, and said: “It is meant to be a 24-hour seven operation which means at 2am or 3am you would have lorries beeping when they reverse. But we really need to see the planning application to see if they have made any changes to the proposals we have already seen.”

A project team spokesperson from Equation Properties said: “We believe that our proposals for the Brighton Hill Retail Park responds to demonstrable need for this type of employment space in the area and will bring huge economic benefits to the regional economy.

"This major investment into the local area will create a significant number of new jobs and help support the local economic recovery post-pandemic.”

Regarding the councillors' concerns, they added: "We remain committed to discussing our proposals and will continue to engage and listen to their views."

Depending on the planning process, Equation Properties said work could start on the new commercial space in summer this year. 

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