THE FIRST details have been revealed of how a landmark Basingstoke industrial site might look when it is converted to housing.

Sentinel Housing Association has submitted a scoping report for the former Eli Lilly and neighbouring Liverpool Victoria sites, in Kingsclere Road, as a step before submitting a full application.

As reported in The Gazette, the Basingstoke-based landlord bought the 10-hectare site in January last year.

The latest report states that the key principles of the site conversion have been agreed. These include building “high-quality housing” with around 500 homes, converting the former Eli Lilly ‘White’ building into “residential and community-type purposes”, possibly extending the building’s roof, and building a care home on the site.

There will also be new pedestrian and cycle routes to and from the site.

The report details what should be included in any environmental assessment that would accompany a full planning application, which the report said would be in outline form and will be submitted some time this year.

The scoping report mainly focuses on the ecological state of the site. A survey found no evidence of bat roosts or the great-crested newt, which is found in Popley. It also noted there were common mammals, such as foxes and rabbits, and that common swifts might be nesting in the site’s overgrown shrubbery.

It states: “The site as a whole is of low ecological value, showing no features or habitats of interest. Habitats present on site are not of intrinsic ecological value and are commonplace elsewhere throughout the local area.”

Bat and bird nest boxes could be included in the housing scheme to encourage wildlife.

The Sentinel deal for the two sites followed developer Lemon Land’s failed attempt to progress a scheme for more than 400 homes, as well as shops, offices and a hotel. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has until January 13 to consider the report.