THE site of a former pharmaceutical giant in Basingstoke could be transformed into living accommodation.

An application to create 275 new homes on the old Shire pharmaceutical site in Chineham has been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The applicant, Salisbury Property Investment Limited, has applied for change of use consent for the Lime Tree Way site.

The site is in the heart of the business park, but the developers believe despite companies operating around the homes, there would not be an adverse effect on the new residents.

The planning statement put to the borough council read: “Regarding the surrounding actual uses close to the site, it is apparent that there are no uses around this site which would create any issues of noise to the level where significant adverse impact on future residential use.

“The proposed development represents solely the change of use of the existing building which is presently in office use and no major ground works are required and as such no anticipated land contamination issues should arise.”

In consultation carried out, the developer has said that the site would not be vulnerable to flooding and would be suitable for housing.

The statement also added: “The proposed development should reduce the traffic impact in the area from the previous use of offices.”

As previously reported in The Gazette, Shire, which was founded in the town more than 30 years ago, took the decision to leave Basingstoke after announcing it would open a new office in Paddington in 2016.

This put more than 250 jobs at risk as the firm relocated out of Basingstoke and the company officially left the site at the end of last year.

To find out more about the plan or to comment on go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk and search for the code 18/02896/GPDOFF.