FOR

Astral Developments and PRUPIM say Pyestock is a brownfield, industrial site.

Developed since the 1940s, the vast majority of the site is now redundant.

It is best known for its work in developing the engines for Concorde.

The development of the Hartland Park logistics and business park will clean up this contaminated site and bring it back into productive use.

Three-quarters of those residents that responded to our consultation agreed that the site should be cleaned up and redeveloped.

There is a major need for distribution facilities in the south east. There are very few large brownfield sites available for such purposes.

We recognise that the proposals have generated concern amongst residents, particularly in relation to traffic.

We have responded to these concerns by reducing the size of the scheme by 15% and extending the surrounding woodland.

Both Hampshire County Council and the Highways Agency are satisfied with the plans, subject to a cap on traffic levels.

There is a strong planning case for the development. It has good access to the M3 and is located some 500 metres away from residential homes.

The site is identified for employment uses and the development will bring employment on the site back up to 1,500 jobs.

AGAINST

Among those fighting the plan is SPLAT (Stop Pyestock bLot Act today), a non-political campaigning group.

SPLAT spokeswoman Shan Healey outlined their objections.

‘Mega-depots should have direct access to a motorway, be linked to a rail terminal and have access to a pool of suitable local labour.

They should not be located in close proximity to residential and conservation areas.

A mega- depot at Pyestock breaches these fundamental conditions.

A mega-depot will ruin the quality of life for thousands, alter forever the character of the area and create a Fleet Farnborough conurbation.

The surrounding road infrastructure is wholly inadequate for a mega-depot.

The seriously congested single carriageway road network and junction 4a of the M3 are already at capacity.

With unemployment in Hart at 0.6%, in-commuting is inevitable which will add to the congestion.

Mega-depot traffic volumes will result in increased diesel emissions and climate changing carbon dioxide.

A rail terminal would reduce the carbon footprint by 25%. A road-only mega depot is unsustainable.

Local residents will be exposed to harmful diesel emissions. The health of children and people with respiratory and coronary conditions will be affected.

On-site operations and the 24 x 7 traffic movements will result in night time noise levels that will lead to sleep deprivation and disturbance.

Local conservation sites will also be seriously affected.’