New retail unit planned for Brockhurst Gate in Gosport

In a virtual meeting between bosses from Millngate Developments and Gosport councillors, the former unveiled plans for a new unit on the eastern side of Brockhurst Gate Retail Park in Heritage Way.

This would be the eighth unit to be built at the site, subject to planning approval.

Developers would also add a further 16 parking spaces, with up to 40 new jobs being created as a result.

The retail park, which fully opened in March last year, is already home to Jollyes Pet Store, McDonald's, Lidl and more, and created more than 300 jobs for the town.

A previous planning application proposing two units in the same space was thrown out by councillors, pushing Millngate to review its idea.

Tony Sweeney, managing director of Millngate, said: ‘We have now created the one big unit that was sought, and will be delivering a unit that will compliment the retail park.

‘It will also provide 30 to 40 new jobs for the town.

‘We were keen to overcome concerns raised, in particular the location and size of the unit.’

At the moment, there is no information about which retailers would be interested in the site.

Plans were also unveiled for two LED advertising boards at the retail park, which would promote retailers and other businesses from the Gosport area to passers-by.

The meeting, held over Microsoft Teams, gave councillors the chance to ask any burning questions they had about the project.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Bridgemary North, Cllr Steve Hammond, said: ‘I’m pleased that Brockhurst Gate has been a success.

‘I am also pleased that you are putting extra parking spaces there, but it does get gridlocked on Saturdays when things get busy.

‘It's not unusual to see traffic queuing right past the zebra crossing.’

Mr Sweeney responded: ‘We are in regular contact with our tenants and we haven't had reports of parking not being possible.’

The managing director added that he believed the plans were a ‘win-win situation' for Millngate and Gosport residents alike.

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