BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet is set to approve a plan to use land near Basingstoke hospital for improvements to the A340.

As previously reported by The Gazette, the borough council’s decision-making Cabinet approved plans to sell a parcel of land known as the Aldermaston Triangle, which is off the A340 Aldermaston Road, to developer Bovis Homes, subject to planning permission and completion of contracts.

About 100 one, two, three and four-bedroom homes could be built on the site.

Forty per cent of the homes will be available for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Although it is selling the land, the borough council said it has been able to ensure that proposals for the future housing development will be well-planned and the site won’t be over developed.

Next Tuesday, Cabinet members are set to approve plans to dispose of land it owns next to the site to allow highway improvements on the A340.

The £4million Hampshire County Council road scheme has been granted Government funding and will be supported by local developer contributions.

If the Cabinet agrees to the disposal of land, it would allow the widening of the A340 to the east of the site to two vehicle lanes for both north and southbound traffic.

There would also be improvements to the Lodge and Priestley Road junctions, to include safer pedestrian and cycle links and speed and traffic control measures.

A planning application for the Aldermaston Triangle site is to be submitted in the coming months and Bovis Homes will be consulting residents.

If the developer is granted planning permission, the first homes are expected to be ready in 2016.

Cabinet Member for finance and resources, Councillor John Izett, said: “This is great news as the sale of this land, which has been unused for many years, will mean high quality much-needed homes for local people and families.

“By dedicating nearby land to Hampshire County Council, we will also be able to help improve traffic flow and road safety in the vicinity of the hospital.

“The sale will contribute significantly to the council’s budget, so we can continue investing in projects to benefit our residents and maintain valued council services, while keeping council tax low.”