Gosport retail park on target to be complete by Christmas

A RETAIL park is on target to be up and running by Christmas with work well underway on the site.

Steel frames and roofs are already in place on the Brockhurst Gate development in Gosport.

Managed by building company Millngate, the former military land will welcome retailers such as McDonald's, Costa, Iceland, Home Bargains and Lidl.

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As previously reported in The News, councillors on Gosport Borough Council's regulatory board unanimously approved the planning application last September.

Over the past few months, builders have moved onto the site, at the Fareham Road and Heritage Way junction, and what will be the shop units can now be seen.

Councillor Stephen Philpott, chairman of the economic development board at the council, said: '˜It has been great to see work getting underway for the retail park.

'˜It is coming on fantastically well and we are still aiming to see it fully set up and running by Christmas.

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'˜This is a really important development for Gosport as it is creating 250 jobs which is great for the town.

'˜Hopefully it will be a good opportunity for young people to get employment.

'˜I am sure it is going to be a great success.'

Further applications for the site have been submitted to Gosport Borough Council including by McDonald's who want to build a play area outside their unit.

The application also includes external seating and a canopy for the drive-thru.

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Cllr Philpott said as the development progresses, more applications will be submitted by the retailers covering signage and other additions.

'˜The site as a whole already has the permission,' he added.

'˜We are hoping to see more applications come through as the businesses start looking to move into the site and put up fascia signs and things like that.'

The Brockhurst Gate development has been in the pipeline for years after Millngate originally wanted to use the land for housing.

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Their application was rejected by the council, and again on appeal by a government inspector.

Working with the council, Millngate re-submitted their application for the retail park.

Cllr Philpott praised the company for listening to what people wanted and what the town needed.

He added: '˜As a council, we knew houses weren't right for this location. We kept to our decision for retail space and now we have it.

'˜It is very exciting and I cannot wait to see the development finished.'