Residents turn out for BOSC Village webinar
More than 70 residents attended a webinar held by the Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company (WBRC) on Monday evening to hear about the plans to develop the first phase of BOSC Village.
The webinar was held at the end of a month-long online community consultation, which gave the town’s community the opportunity to view the plans and provide feedback.
James Child and Bruce Collinson of WBRC presented and discussed the plans to develop the area surrounding BOSC pavilion, which includes the construction of a care home and around 360 one and two-bedroom flats and two to five-bedroom houses, to be delivered over seven years. The first phase covers an area north of Oakhanger Road for 110 dwellings and is set for completion in December 2024.
James Child expressed the need for WBRC to deliver what was promised in the plans outlined and agreed by East Hampshire District Council in 2015. He talked about the style of housing at BOSC Village and what the area will offer new residents who live there.
James Child, said:
BOSC Village will provide a green and leafy setting for residents and very much have a village feel to it. The development is being designed by the same architect behind the first phase of Poundbury, and is taking their inspiration from the character of the area and the traditional Hampshire style of housing. The new care home will deliver increased care facilities for older residents in a quiet setting in the town.”
Bruce Collinson spoke about the landscape strategy. WBRC has worked closely with arboricultural and ecology specialists to ensure that the area surrounding BOSC has been surveyed to support their plans to fell lower quality trees and include planting of new native species, fruit trees, shrubs and flowers.
The landscape masterplan shows how WBRC is aiming to improve the mix of diversity of species and support the wildlife that is already there. A village pond with wetland planting will support the local wildlife and create a place for residents to enjoy nature at the heart of the new proposals.
Commenting on the next steps, James Child said:
“A full reserved matters application will be made by the end of January in consultation with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC). EHDC will go through the planning process, during which time the public can comment further on the plans. It is hoped that a decision will be made by the end of May and site preparation work will begin in June. We thank everyone who took the time to join the webinar and fed back during the community consultation period.”