Hampshire: Significant development sites available in county, report shows

The huge range of opportunities available in the south for property investors, developers and occupiers is highlighted in a guide launched by Hampshire County Council with support from commercial property specialists Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).

The Hampshire Development Portfolio, compiled by the Hampshire County Council and sponsored for the third year running by LSH’s south coast offices, showcases sites in the county of around 100,000 sq ft and above which can support significant development for industrial, leisure, business or office use.

Among those featured are:

• Southampton Airport Economic Gateway, which offers opportunities for industrial, storage and distribution uses
• Basing View Business Park and Enterprise Zone, which has potential to provide around 650,000 sq ft of office development.
• Alpha Park in Eastleigh, where two units suitable for general industrial and storage and distribution uses are available to let
• South Central, Southampton, where John Lewis recently completed on a unit for use as a customer delivery hub
• Chilcomb Park, a new development designed to meet demand for office space in Winchester
• Plans for a new city gateway at Nelson Gate, Southampton
• Land at Segensworth North West, with potential for 120,556 sq ft of employment floor space

Adrian Whitfield, director in the industrial team at LSH’s South Coast offices, said: “This portfolio shows the enormous potential of sites in the county and underlines why the region continues to attract speculative development to help address a much-needed demand for good quality industrial property.

“While there remains a lack of ‘oven ready’ sites for major industrial use, the recent spate of new development at sites such as Alpha Park and Mountpark in Southampton and Merlin Park in Portsmouth is helping to alleviate the pressure. This needs to continue to meet the ever-present demand of businesses for expansion, relocation and moving to better quality premises.”

Andy Hodgkinson, director at LSH’s South Coast Office Agency, said: “We are proud to once again be associated with this well-researched and definitive guide to the enormous range of options there are in the county, both for businesses seeking new premises and for developers and investors seeking opportunities to build much-needed quality facilities.

“We are encouraged by Hampshire County Council’s proactive and positive approach when it comes to attracting businesses of all types and sizes to the region – vital for employment, economic growth and prosperity.”