THE Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company has agreed to invest £54m in the community, and this is expected to include investment on improvements to the A325 Bordon to Farnham road and to fund traffic management measures for surrounding villages.

The package, a requirement of the developers’ planning permission to regenerate Prince Philip Barracks, was agreed with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) last week.

The developers’ contribution will allow various long-promised public amenities to be built. To support education, £11m will go toward the development of a new primary school, with an additional £10m contribution going toward the proposed relocation of the town’s existing secondary school, Mill Chase Academy, to a new and improved facility.

The developers will also invest £2.5m into the management of “specially-designed green spaces” across the new town centre, while £5.7m will be set aside for the creation of sports pitches and new sports facilities, including a new swimming pool and leisure centre.

Some of the funds will be allocated to transport and infrastructure. A total of £4.5m will be spent to enhance the existing bus services, as well as the creation of bus stops and shelters in the new development and local area, while £2m will fund traffic management measures for surrounding villages. A further £2.2m is being set aside for various improvements to the A325.

Existing facilities in the town will also receive a financial boost with more than £1.5m set aside for upgrades to pedestrian and cycle routes, health facilities, and the local household waste recycling centre.

Adam Carew, Whitehill Town Council leader, said the announcement was “fantastic news” and is a “first-class example” of how the work being done “will result in direct, tangible benefits”.

“With massive investment and a commitment to develop wonderful new community facilities we are beginning to see the future of the town taking shape before us. This is an exciting time for Whitehill and Bordon,” he added.

The Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, which is a joint venture between Dorchester Regeneration and Taylor Wimpey, working on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, received outline planning permission in April to build 2,400 new homes in the town.

Detailed plans are currently being developed for the first phase of housing and the transformation of Prince Philip Barracks into a new town centre when the Bordon Garrison formally closes at the end of this year. If all goes smoothly, initial building work could start as early as next year.

“This project is about more than the provision of new housing, it is about the complete regeneration of an area,” said James Child, project lead at Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company.

“As such, we are committed to providing benefits to the entire Whitehill and Bordon community, existing and new, through the regeneration of the Prince Philip Barracks.

“We have worked with both East Hampshire district and Hampshire county councils to ensure that, as well as creating housing, important wider infrastructure measures are also provided for. This investment will go a long way in establishing Whitehill and Bordon as a thriving town centre for future generations, that offers everyone the opportunity to live, work and play.”

Wendy Ivess-Mash, of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which owns the site, added: “The completion of the planning agreement with East Hampshire District Council represents a key milestone in this most inclusive and comprehensive regeneration scheme which is within the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s portfolio of major land sale development sites.

“The level of investment demonstrates the approach being taken by our development partners to ensure the former Ministry of Defence land at Whitehill and Bordon is on target to meet the high-quality objectives they set out during their appointment process. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is also very grateful to the significant amount of work undertaken by both the Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council to ensure this milestone was achieved.”

EHDC leader Ferris Cowper also praised the announcement and said it makes it clear that “huge benefits” will come from the development.

“An investment of £54m will make huge difference to the town and we should celebrate the commitment shown by the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company and all the partners dedicated to making the town a modern, attractive, vibrant place to live and work,” he added.

Sean Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “I welcome the signing of this planning agreement, which together with the other contributions committed toward the local provision of improved infrastructure and facilities will provide the basis for the transformation of the town.

“I look forward to the realisation of the plans on the ground, following the preparations by the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company working with the county and district councils and the Enterprise M3 LEP.”

It’s estimated that more than 7,000 people will move into the Whitehill and Bordon area by the time the scheme, which is expected to take around 15 years to develop, is complete.