Housebuilder sought for potential 94-home development in Hampshire

A residential investment opportunity in Hampshire with planning permission for 94 homes has hit the market.

Winchester-based landowner Hospital of St Cross - a medieval charitable alms-house - is selling land in Whitchurch through property consultancy and estate agency Carter Jonas.

It comprises two adjoining parcels on the north west edge of the town.

Pro Vision, a firm of planners and architects, drew up a comprehensive scheme for the new neighbourhood on behalf of the charity.

Richard Osborn, associate director at Pro Vision, said: “We engaged with the community from the very early stage of the neighbourhood planning process.

“We listened and with the help of residents, secured significant benefits for the wider community. Not only that but the sale of the site will help to preserve the Hospital of St Cross, an historic building of national significance, for future generations to enjoy.”

The first section of land, a former horticultural plantation off Evingar Road, comes with outline planning permission from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for 60 new houses and flats, including 24 affordable homes.

The site – five minutes from the town’s train station – also has consent for 3,300 sq m of employment space and a new 70-space railway station car park.

The second parcel of land, the former allotment site off Bloswood Drive, has planning permission for 34 homes. The allotments have already been relocated with improved facilities (toilets and storage buildings) as part of the comprehensive scheme.

The scheme includes a large area of public open space (about 15.5 acres in total), including the new allotments, community orchard and kickabout space.

Ownership of the large area of open space will be transferred to Whitchurch Town Council. The plans include landscaping and a new ecological area.

Ryan Harris, associate partner at Carter Jonas, added: “The site is an exciting placemaking opportunity for a housebuilder and we have already received significant interest from potential purchasers.

“The planning consent enables the successful bidder to deliver a combination of new homes and business space set within a substantial landscaped public realm.

“The finished development’s close proximity to the station creates an attractive proposition that will appeal to future residents and businesses alike.”

In 2015, the firm won a planning appeal to build 34 homes on the former allotments after permission was initially refused by councillors despite a recommendation for approval from officers.

Recently, Pro Vision was successful in securing allocation of the entire site for housing and employment in the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan.

The development site is being sold by Carter Jonas with prospective purchasers invited to make written representations by August 9.