PLANS to rejuvenate a derelict Basingstoke retail park have been announced.

Equation Properties Limited hopes to create 400 permanent jobs by developing Brighton Hill Retail Park by building several warehouse units on the brownfield site.

The company was refused permission by the borough council last year to develop the 3.24-hectare site, in Winchester Road, and erect two buildings for commercial and office use.

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The council refused the application to turn the site into a 24/7 commercial development, labelling it ‘dominant and intrusive’.

Now, Equation Properties has revised its plans and is working with the borough council with the hope of starting work on the site.

Permission has already been granted to demolish the empty retail units, but this was delayed after the previous plans were refused.

Equation Properties said the site has since been subject to antisocial behaviour, vandalism, and arson.

It said developing the land will help address these problems. It hopes to build several warehouse units to ‘meet growing local and regional demand for high-quality and modern floorspace’.

The proposals also include landscaping and biodiversity improvements.

Equation Properties has revised its plans taking on board the reasons given for refusal of the previous application.

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This includes removing the existing HGV access point on Harrow Way; sole use of the existing A30 Winchester Road access point; reducing the size of the buildings; and no HGV servicing during night-time hours.

The company said the scheme will deliver benefits including investment and increased business rates; the transformation of a brownfield site, which is blighted by anti-social behaviour; cycle parking and electric vehicle charging points; sustainable design; and the creation of up to 415 permanent jobs.

Robin Vaughan, development director at Equation Properties Limited, said: “We are keen to transform the Brighton Hill site which has been a target for anti-social behaviour and currently gives a poor impression of Basingstoke.

“We aim to deliver significant investment, creating up to 415 permanent jobs and additional business rates, which will boost the local economy.

“Our transformation will lead to the rejuvenation of this brownfield site, and we have listened to the feedback from planning officers after our first application was refused, and made sure we have addressed those issues with our revised plan.

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“We are now seeking permission from the council to start work and transform a brownfield site into something that makes a significant and positive contribution to Basingstoke’s economy.”

The project team leading the scheme will be looking to share more detailed plans with residents and other local stakeholders in the coming weeks, with a community consultation exercise planned.