CONTROVERSIAL plans for an industrial complex once intended as the future hub for Hampshire Constabulary will come back before planning chiefs again for a final decision.

The Alpha Park in Valley Park remains at present a “white elephant” after a proposals to transform it into storage and distribution facilities were thrown out by councillors.

But its fate will now be re-considered after the plans were referred on to the planning control committee.

Councillors meet on Tuesday at Romsey’s Crosfield Hall, but a council report recommends permission be granted.

Developers want to turn the 8.5-acre Electron Way site into three warehouse and distribution facilities and claim it will bring 180 jobs to the area.

Eastleigh Borough Council has previously given the green lights to the parts of the site that fall under its control.

However, councillors on Test Valley Borough Council’s Southern Area Planning Committee rejected the plans last month at a heated meeting, where they went against the council planning officer’s advice to approve it.

This was amid fears raised by residents of the effect of the estimated 980 vehicles that would visit the 24-hour site.

However, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce argued at the meeting that the development would provide £12 million of private sector investment into the local economy.

It said it could also kick-start regeneration of the wider Alpha Park estate.

Now it remains to see whether councillors will overturn the initial ruling.

Plans were referred on because the decision was contrary to advice and planning chiefs judged it would leave the council at risk of facing costs from an appeal.

The planning control committee now making the decision is made up of some members from this committee and some from the northern area committee.

They are recommended in the officer’s report to approve it with 23 conditions, despite a further four objections since the last meeting. This adds to the 30 representations received from residents raising concerns about the most recent plans.

Valley Park Parish Council is also still strongly objecting.

Test Valley Borough and Valley Park Parish Councillor, Alan Dowden, has previously said, though he supports creating employment, such activity should be well away from residential areas.

The report said planning officers remained convinced that with the significant changes the developer has made - enclosed covered service yards and acoustic fencing - make it acceptable.

“It is not considered that the proposed development would result in an unacceptable level of harm to the amenities of neighbouring residential properties,” it added.

As previously reported, Alpha Park was described as a “white elephant” after being bought by Hampshire Police for £9.8m in 2008 and sold at a loss late last year subject to a survey.

The building stood empty for more than six years and by May 2013 had cost £1.8m just to maintain and keep secure.

The meeting starts at 5.30pm.