AMBITIOUS plans to build a new retail park on a site which has been empty for more than 20 years have been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Area Estates, a joint venture between property developers Fintry Estates and Pears Property, is proposing to build the town’s first Aldi supermarket as part of a new retail outlet on land off The Harrow Way.

If given the green light, it is believed the new site could generate more than 300 new jobs.

As previously reported in The Gazette, the development team has run two public consultations to show residents and local businesses what the proposed site may look like.

Area Estates is proposing to call the development St Michael’s Retail Park, after the iconic figure who appears on the Basingstoke crest which featured in the ancient seal of the former borough of Basingstoke.

The development will include retailers such as Oak Furnitureland, Furniture Village, Sofology, along with four smaller restaurants and coffee shops, such as Nando’s and Costa.

The developers’ planning statement said: “The proposed development represents an important opportunity to redevelop a longstanding vacant brownfield site in an accessible location.

“The proposed development is known as the ‘St Michael’s Retail Park’ and is intended to deliver new retail and restaurant / café units to serve the Basingstoke area. Once complete, the scheme is expected to deliver many benefits to the area.”

Brighton Hill South ward councillor, Cllr Andrew McCormick said the developers need to address traffic issues and make sure there is no adverse impact on current retailers around Brighton Hill.

He added: “We need to find something for the site and if the developers address traffic issues, and bring employment into the local area it could be beneficial to the borough.”

As previously reported in The Gazette, Tesco was refused planning permission by the borough council to build a 63,000 sq ft store on the Harrow Way site and lost an appeal on the grounds it would have a trading impact on nearby shops.

This is the second proposal for an out-of-town retail park in the borough, after NewRiver Retail announced plans to transform Basingstoke Leisure Park, to include a shopping village. The plans are likely to be discussed early next year. 

What do you think of the plans? Let us know at newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk