Land north of J7 of the M3 has been earmarked as one of two possible locations for a new hospital.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has refined its search for a site for a new centralised hospital servicing north and mid Hampshire and will either develop the J7 site or redevelop the existing Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

And on Wednesday (November 5), Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council (B&DBC) plans to discuss a vision for that area so that infrastructure for it and a number of other developments is sufficient.

The new hospital is one of 40 the Government is promising to fund before 2030. The trust considered several sites including in Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh and Winchester.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Whilst we have identified two possible sites, no final decisions have been taken and we look forward to talking to our staff and the public about our proposals for the future when we go out to public consultation early next year.

“We are looking forward to discussing the pros and cons of each of the possible locations as part of the formal consultation process.

The site sits in an area poised for several major schemes and a draft vision document, A Vision for South West Basingstoke, has been drawn up by B&DBC which is set to go out for consultation after the council’s economic, planning and housing committee discuss it on Wednesday.

Councillors are seeking a joined-up approach across all the developments in the area and to ensure the right infrastructure is built.

Schemes either proposed or under consideration in the area include:

  • Plans by Newlands Developments for a 271,000 sq m distribution centre at neighbouring Oakdown Farm (where one building is rumoured to be intended for Amazon).
  • A park & ride, transport interchange and mass rapid transport scheme including along the A30.
  • Improvements to the motorway junction
  • Housing development sites at Kennel Farm, Hounsome Fields and Basingstoke Golf Club.

The area covered by the report also reaches as far as Manydown South, the second phase of a possible 8,000 new homes.

The document will feed into the update of the Local Plan currently under way and due for adoption in 2023. Further possible development sites have been put forward for inclusion after a call for sites by the council.

The vision looks to consider the need for strategic gaps around villages such as North Waltham and Dummer and seeks to protect historic sites.

Cabinet member for planning infrastructure and the natural environment Cllr Mark Ruffell said: “The draft vision will set out the key issues for consideration and it will provide some direction on how this area could be developed in the future.

“There will then be a period of consultation so that interested parties and local residents can shape the vision.

“We hope that by working together, we can create ambitious proposals that will deliver the types of places, with the right investment and infrastructure, that will support a thriving local economy that is compatible with our need to address climate change and improve biodiversity.”

The vision is set to be updated for adoption in March 2021.

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