A NEW business park and car park could be built on agricultural land in Whitchurch.

Andrew Watson, of Smiths Gore, has written to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on behalf of Zurich Assurance Limited, requesting a “screening opinion” for a proposed business park and 150-space car park, north of Whitchurch railway station.

A “screening opinion” identifies whether a formal assessment of the effect development could have on the local environment is needed as part of a formal planning application.

The application says that the majority of the 13,000 square metre floorspace proposed is likely to be made up of industrial use and the plan for the 150-space car park has been discussed with Network Rail and South West Trains.

The application says: “There is an existing business park in Whitchurch, centred on Ardglen Road. However, the accommodation is dated and there is a lack of space for businesses to grow and expand into. The proposal provides the opportunity to meet this need.”

A decision on the screening opinion was expected yesterday.