THE skyline of a Basingstoke suburb is changing as building work on Sainsbury’s new distribution centre makes rapid progress.

Currently under construction is a new chilled storage building, which is taking shape on land that was purchased from fork lift truck manufacturer Linde.

It is part of a modern, purpose-built multi-million pound logistics centre that the supermarket giant is developing on the Houndmills Industrial Estate.

Matt Williams, general manager of Sainsbury’s Distribution Centre, Basingstoke, said: “The current phase of works will house the chill operation, which should be fully operational by Christmas 2013.

“There is still lots to achieve, but we are progressing well and are on target to complete the works by mid to late 2015.”

The new distribution centre will increase capacity and improve the efficiency of Sainsbury’s distribution operations in the south.

Sainsbury’s say the scheme has secured more than 700 jobs in Basingstoke, replacing the outdated depot built 50 years ago.