A NEW 18-storey building with up to 370 build to rent apartments and commercial space could be built in the middle of Basingstoke town centre.

Packaged Living has submitted a ‘screening opinion’ to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) asking for its views on plans to build the major development in Basing View before it submits a detailed planning application.

The company, which re-develops brownfield sites into ‘world class living communities’, wants to start work at in early 2025 on the site known as ViewPoint, where there are two empty office blocks on 0.8 hectares of land.

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Basingstoke Gazette: ViewPoint in Basing View is currently on the market for £1.95 million. (Photo: Rightmove)Documents submitted to the borough council show it wants to demolish the current office buildings and replace them with a 58.5m tall building with 122 car parking spaces, 580m2 commercial space and 370 build to rent (BTR) apartments with one, two and three bedrooms.

Build to rent is a concept whereby a property development is designed with the sole intention of appealing to the rental market rather than long-term home ownership.

Packaged Living said it will take around two and a half years to construct the new build and hopes it will be complete in 2027.

The proposed scheme is estimated to generate around 88 two-way vehicle trips per hour, which it said is “not considered to be a significant increase in traffic”.

Packaged Living, founded in 2018, is behind a project in Reading to reposition part of The Oracle and replace the former Debenhams store and Vue Cinema with build to rent apartments.

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On its website, the company said the Basingstoke site will “help to improve pedestrian connections within Basing View and strengthen links to Eastrop Park, the town centre and railway station”.

It adds: “Active frontages at the lower levels will enliven the street scene and public realm, whilst residential apartments above will bring increased footfall to support and sustain local businesses.”