A COMPANY has announced proposals for a “significant new employment development” between Odiham and Hook.

The proposals, which have not yet been submitted would see warehouses built near Junction 5 of the M3 motorway.

Obsidian Strategic is currently planning to sought planning permission for 105,000 m2 of commercial logistics floorspace across four warehouses.

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They have said there is also potential for some smaller units to accommodate needs, along with new woodland planting and landscaping to help reduce the visual impact of the proposed buildings.

The company have said it would be a "significant" improvement to the A287 “by enabling access and the free flow of traffic, as well as improved footways, pedestrian crossings, and cycle and pedestrian routes between Odiham and Hook".

The proposals also include a new electric vehicle (EV) charging forecourt, which would have 200 charging points.

Philip Scott, Director of Planning at Obsidian Strategic, said: “The number of jobs in Hart has been falling for almost a decade. This investment will help to reverse that trend by directly creating more than two thousand new jobs, pumping over £100 million into the local economy each year and helping other local businesses to grow.

“The proposals are still at an early stage, and before any planning application is submitted we are committed to consulting the local community, as well as having discussions with Hart Council’s planning department and carrying out a full assessment of any possible environmental impacts.”

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The company have also said they predict the plans could potentially “create up to 2,000 jobs” as well as contributing “£125 million a year to the local economy”.

So far an environmental impact assessment has been submitted to Harts District Council, which is is a document that identifies the likely issues with the land and what could arise if a planning application was to be submitted.

Obsidian Strategic intends to carry out a public consultation in the coming weeks, which will include a website with full details of the proposal, which can be found at J5Logistics.co.uk.

A planning application is expected to follow in the autumn.

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