Damian writes a regular column for the Petersfield Post, and the latest one covers the development at Whitehill & Bordon:
Keep your eye on Bordon development
"Anyone who has driven along the A325 in recent months will be aware of the extraordinary scale of development that is starting to take place in Whitehill & Bordon.
The freeing-up of 100 hectares of land with the Army’s departure to a new base in Wiltshire enabled a bold plan to be put in place; with 3,500 new homes, 5,500 new jobs and 84,000 square metres of new commercial space: a beacon of investment that will bring new opportunities to people living in and around the town as well as communities much further afield.
But the vision spear-headed by a partnership between East Hampshire District Council, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the Enterprise M3 local Enterprise Partnership, Hampshire County Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and developers is so much more than bricks and mortar.
The long term ambition of building a more prosperous and sustainable town will create an environment that not only nurtures and supports businesses but one that encourages people to live healthier lives.
The inclusion of Whitehill & Bordon in the new Enterprise Zone that runs along the M3 ‘Sci-Tech corridor’ is expected to attract companies from digital technology and Cleantech industries, amongst others, taking advantage of a location that offers good connectivity and access to talent.
A new Future Skills Centre for 16 plus year olds is underway and due to open next summer. Potentially specialising in construction training, those skills could be put to use on building projects right across the town and wider region.
Work has already started on the first new homes to be built on Quebec Park site, which will offer a mix of private and affordable housing. Designed to be highly energy efficient and to encourage sustainable living, the houses will be built alongside an Enterprise Hub and Community Café, creating a new and flexible area for living and working.
But the heart of the transformation will be the Prince Philip Barracks, with 2,400 new homes built around a new town centre. The new facilities will include a new secondary school to replace Mill Chase, a new leisure centre, new sports club and significantly, a new health and care campus.
In February this year Whitehill & Bordon was designated one of only ten NHS England Healthy New Towns. This prestigious award brings access to wide range of partners and expertise, helping to design the town with health and well-being at its core.
Above and beyond new state-of-the-art primary care facilities, the project aims to help people lead more active and healthy lives, enabling residents to live independently for longer. This model could well become a template for future town developments, so it’s an exciting opportunity for Whitehill & Bordon to be part of the scheme from the beginning.
Part of this healthy endeavour includes the development of new parks and play areas, and green spaces to explore. One of the main features of the town is the beautiful natural setting it enjoys, and the protection of the 50 hectare Hogmoor Inclosure will create a habitat for a variety of wildlife and provide a great new recreational area for local people and visitors from right across the District.
The transformation of Whitehill & Bordon is significant and important for the whole area, with much needed new housing, new employment opportunities in world leading technologies, and an approach to urban design that could set a new standard for town planning in the future.
It’s worth keeping an eye on Whitehill & Bordon. Big things are happening."
Article written by Damian Hinds and published in the Petersfield Post on 23rd November 2016