NEARLY 600 new homes could be built on the former Eli Lilly site if Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council give the go ahead to the scheme next week.

Sentinel Housing Association and Vestal Developments Limited applied to the borough council for outline planning permission to build up to 578 new homes at the former Eli Lilly site in Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke, in May.

The scheme, which will be approved or rejected by the borough council’s development control committee at a meeting next Wednesday, is being recommended for approval.

The developers have proposed a housing mix of 102 two-bedroom houses, 145 three-bedroom houses, 86 one-bedroom flats and 189 two-bedroom flats.

In addition they propose to convert the iconic “white building” into a mix of 56 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Forty per cent of the development – 232 homes – will be affordable housing.

If approved, the development would be accessed via three entrances on Kingsclere Road and two access points on Pelton Road.

Sentinel’s development and regeneration director, Mike Sheppard said: “We’ve developed this application by working together with the local community, Basingstoke and Deane councillors and officers and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their support so far.

“Our intention is to create a vibrant new community close to the town centre with a choice of homes to suit all pockets.”

But Labour ward member for Norden, Councillor Paul Harvey, told The Gazette that there are many unanswered questions, adding: “There is concern that the proposal is for children to attend Winklebury schools. We are also concerned and are actively looking at highway issues around Chapel Hill. We want to be satisfied that these issues are resolved and that people travelling under the (railway) bridge are safe.

“It is good that it is coming to the committee so development control can look at it and we want them to look at those two issues.

“It was the largest freehold site left in the borough so we want to make sure the integrity of Houndmills goes forward because it is a prime business park but at the same time we want affordable housing. It was a locally listed building so it is important that we respect the conservation of that.”