A NEW hospital, Amazon warehouse and a transport hub are key factors of how the borough council want Junction 7 of the M3 to look in the future.

The authority have published their draft strategic vision of the land surrounding the motorway junction, which includes the potential to build a tram network along the A30 corridor and a new health campus.

It comes after a flurry of interest in developing land around the site, which includes new warehouses of which one is rumoured to be the future home of Amazon.

On top of this is confirmation that land in the area is being considered by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as the home of a new hospital, whilst new homes are planned at Hounsome Fields and Basingstoke Golf Course.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have previously called for a "clear and joined up vision" to the "strategic location". Now, the authority have published its draft strategic vision, which sees a number of key principles set out.

The council say that development around the area should follow these visions:

  1. Delivering the right growth
  2. Ensuring sustainable development and combating climate change
  3. Protecting and enhancing environmental and built assets
  4. Delivering a green infrastructure network
  5. Improving connectivity
  6. Creating a place for all

The visions state that new health facilities should be located close the the junction and the A30 "to allow high quality transport links", whilst it should reinforce the role of the area as a 'Gateway to Basingstoke'.

All development should be carbon neutral, the document says, and be "exemplars of sustainable development".

Strategic gaps in development should "safeguard the separate and historic identities" of North Waltham, Dummer and Oakley, whilst it should "protect and enhance" the natural environment.

All development in the area should "deliver biodiversity net gain to ensure there are positive gains for species and habitats", whilst also reinforcing the existing wealth of woodland.

A new mass rapid transit route - which could take the form of a tram network - should be facilitated between the site and the town centre and nearby housing developments such as Manydown, which would connect to the developments in a new transport hub.

Also planned is a park and ride system, plus improvements to the motorway junction.

Additionally, a 'fibre spine' should be delivered between Basingstoke and Guildford, which the council say would provide "gigabit-capable fibre, supporting jobs and investment".

But the residential development in the area must provide a mix of private and affordable housing and support infrastructure including schools and leisure facilities including sports pitches.

Cllr Mark Ruffell, cabinet member for planning, infrastructure and the natural environment, said: "Planning for successful places, served by high quality infrastructure is of key importance to the borough council, recognising that service provision, investment and job creation needs to be provided in a co-ordinated manner with our partners.

"As we consider the opportunities offered by the area to the north of junction 7 of the M3, I am keen to ensure that residents, partners and service providers have a clear understanding of our ambitions and aspirations to deliver the types of places, the investment and the infrastructure we need to support a thriving local economy.

"The draft Vision appended to this report is intended to detail our aspirations around the type of place that this could become in the future and the infrastructure required to support it.

"Detailing it in this way helps to develop important conversations with our communities, service providers, employers and investors around how we can come together to fulfil our ambitions and support wider objectives.

"It will also help to embed the principles of responding to our climate change from the outset, to ensure that our partners and landowners are clear on our stance."

The vision is due to be published for public consultation later this month, before being adopted early next year.

It will be debated by councillors on the economic, planning and housing committee on Thursday. You can see the full vision here.

The Gazette first revealed in June the plans for the warehouse development on Oakdown Farm - a piece of land sandwiched between the A30 and the M3. Last month, this newspaper exclusively revealed that online delivery giant Amazon were being linked with one of the warehouses.