THIS is the first picture of the proposed landmark John Lewis at home and Waitrose superstore in Basingstoke town centre.

People are being urged to give their views on the proposed 107,500 sq ft store for Basing View at two public consultation events this week.

If planning permission is granted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, building work could start as early as next spring.

As previously reported, Muse Developments - the company spearheading the regeneration of Basing View on behalf of the borough council - confirmed earlier this year that a combined John Lewis at home department store and Waitrose supermarket is planned for the site.

The store is set to be built on council-owned land at the western end of Basing View towards Eastrop Roundabout and Festival Place.

According to Muse, the John Lewis at home and Waitrose development will create 300 new jobs and, if approved, would open in 2015.

It would be the centrepiece of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's ambitious £200million regeneration of the ageing 15-acre business park.

Nigel Keen, property director for the John Lewis Partnership - which owns both the Waitrose and John Lewis brands - said: “This is an important regeneration opportunity for Basingstoke, especially given its prominent location as a gateway to the town centre.

“We are excited by the potential for us to make a lasting contribution to the town's retail offer and local employment. We have a long-standing ambition to bring our brands to the area and we look forward to discussing our plans with local people.”

The superstore would be only the second of its kind in the country. The other store with a similar format opened in November last year in Ipswich.

Mike Auger, Muse regional director, said views given at the public consultation will help to shape the final planning application that is submitted to council planners.

“It's important to us that local people have the opportunity to see these plans and give us feedback before we proceed with our planning application,” said Mr Auger. “Residents and businesses will be able to visit us at a series of public exhibitions or alternatively, go online.”

The proposal is for Waitrose to trade on the ground floor of the combined superstore and for the John Lewis at home to operate on a ground and mezzanine level, selling primarily furniture, furnishing accessories, electrical items and home technology. A 'Click and Collect' service should also be available along with a café, dry cleaners and cash machine.

A 420-space car park has also been planned for the roof of the combined store. Cars would enter from the top of Norn Hill and lifts and travelators would take customers to the store entrances.

The plans will be on display in The Malls in Basingstoke on Friday, September 6 from 11am to 4pm, and on Saturday, September 7 from 10am to 1pm. To view the plans online, visit basing-view.com or email info@basing-view.com.