A PROPOSAL to revitalise a suburban shopping centre is taking shape.

A second public exhibition was held on Thursday last week, showcasing plans for the revamp of Chineham District Centre, also known as Chineham Shopping.

Proposed new features include additional shops, restaurants, a gym, a healthcare/business facility, a hotel and a boutique cinema.

There would also be new landscaping throughout the centre, including an adaptable community ‘heart space’ as the focal point of the centre.

James Burchell, partner at Tellon Capital which acquired the site earlier this year, said: “We are pleased with the very strong attendance at our second exhibition and welcomed the generally positive reaction to our detailed proposals.

"We will be analysing all feedback provided and, where possible, will seek to incorporate suggestions into our plans before submitting a planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

"We take this time to thank all those who attended and who are helping us through this community engagement.”

Other ideas in the proposal include retaining the southern car park, nearest Tesco, but also creating a single, bigger car park in the northern part of the centre, providing a net gain of 100 extra parking spaces.

There is also an aim to improve traffic issues at the site by reconfiguring the car parks and also creating new cycle and pedestrian connections to ease congestion.

Tellon Capital intends to keep parking free for all genuine users of the centre.

However a charge may be introduced after a number of hours to address a predicted issue of cars being parked at the centre for long periods while their users travel into Basingstoke and beyond without visiting the centre.

Some 280 people attended the exhibition last week, including residents, shoppers, tenants and councillors.

The community can find out more information by contacting chinehamconsultation@telloncapital.com, 0800 298 7040 or chinehamshopping.co.uk.