A PROMINENT – and some might say eyesore – Basingstoke office block could be replaced by industrial units and a drive-through restaurant.

Telford House, in Hamilton Close, Houndmills, was built in the 1970s and overlooks the Houndmills Roundabout.

But the Strathclyde Pension Fund, administered by Glasgow City Council, wants to demolish a building which it says is dated and is struggling to attract occupiers.

In a planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough, the fund says the building would be replaced with five trade park units and a two-storey drive-through restaurant.

The application notes: “The majority of Telford House has remained vacant for quite some time. It has been marketed extensively to prospective tenants, with very little interest shown to occupy space within the building.

“The current accommodation is not fit-for-purpose for modern office use and the dated design of the building has not made Telford House attractive for potential occupiers.”

Discussions have taken place with planning officers at the borough council, and the fund says it has been told that regeneration schemes would be supported wherever possible and that the drive-through venue is also a possibility.

The application says 51 full-time jobs would be created by the new units, excluding the jobs created by the demolition of the old building and construction of the new buildings.

Among the current occupiers of the building is Basingstoke ITEC, the Government-funded training firm that aims to help young people find work.

The borough council will decide on the application by November 20.