NEW jobs and businesses will be brought to Liphook after East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) bought a prominent site in the village.

The council has now secured a deal for the former OSU site with owners Taylor Wimpey which will see the land used to build new business premises.

The project is EHDC’s latest approach to driving the future growth of the local economy and will provide jobs and business space as well as a rental income.

Developers Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties have made the project possible by releasing the site for commercial use and has also committed to providing a new access for the premises.

The Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership has put £1.6m toward East Hampshire’s pilot projects while EHDC has set aside another £1m. Rental income generated by new business premises will be re-invested in the local economy through apprenticeships and business support schemes.

EHDC is determined to become one of the country’s most business-friendly councils and has launched the project as part of its East Hampshire Invest for Growth Initiative.

Council leader Ferris Cowper said: “Securing jobs and business premises is key to unlocking local economic prosperity and that is why East Hampshire District Council has economic growth as our priority.

“We are most grateful to the Enterprise M3 LEP, Taylor Wimpey and all our private sector partners for their continued support for the East Hampshire Invest for Growth Initiative and putting their trust in us to deliver on an innovative project.”

The private sector plays a significant role in local economic projects such as this, through financial contributions and commercial knowledge and expertise.

Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties’ senior land manager Sam Stone said: “We are committed to supporting the successful and sustainable growth of the communities where we work in East Hampshire and across the region – and we are delighted to be working with EHDC to enable the delivery of this exciting new project.

“Additionally, we are continuing to provide high-quality homes and community investment in Liphook at Maple Park, and our forthcoming development at Lowsley Farm, while Taylor Wimpey and Dorchester Regeneration are also proud to be part of the major Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration scheme, which is due to get under way this year,” he added.

The East Hampshire Invest for Growth Initiative sees council secure employment land, new jobs and funding for local economic projects.

It is a direct response to the challenges facing the district such as a shortage of modern, high-quality business space, a reluctance to invest in speculative development and the loss of commercial land to homes.

Geoff French, chairman of the Enterprise M3 LEP, said: “We are dedicated to supporting local business and generating new jobs.

“This scheme will provide attractive, modern space for local businesses to get started, grow and flourish.

“I congratulate East Hampshire District Council on securing the site and commend Taylor Wimpey for making this site available for continued commercial use.

“The £1.6m we have put toward the project is a sound investment in the economy of East Hampshire and will help bring growth and prosperity to the district.”

In a statement, Bramshott and Liphook’s three district councillors – Angela Glass, Bill Mouland and Rebecca Standish – said: “It’s great news for employment opportunities in Liphook that this piece of land has been secured by the district council and we look forward to seeing it developed. We would like to thank our economic development team and the Enterprise M3 LEP for making this happen.”