ONE OF Hampshire’s biggest military bases has finally been handed over to a civilian operator after an eight-month delay.

Solent Gateway has officially taken control of Marchwood Military Port - but people living near the 330-acre facility may have to wait months to learn its plans.

Company bosses say they have yet to finalise their long-term vision for the site, which is surrounded by hundreds of homes.

A Solent Gateway spokesman said: “Our primary focus in the short term will be running port operations in support of the UK’s strategic defence needs.

“The development of commercial opportunities at Marchwood will be very much over the longer term and further details of what these might look like will become available as we work through options.

“We will hopefully be in a position to unveil some initial plans over the course of the next few months.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, villagers fear that commercial activity at the port will lead to a huge increase in HGV movements in the area.

Last night Marchwood district councillor Alison Hoare said: “We are stepping into the unknown.

“I’m concerned about any potential increase in lorry traffic in the area because Marchwood is already at its absolute limit.

“But Solent Gateway have already spoken to parish councillors and want a good working relationship with the council, which can only benefit the residents of Marchwood.” 

Marchwood county councillor David Harrison added: “It’s clear they are still working through what they might decide to do.

“But I’ve given them a very clear idea about the concerns of local people, including the possibility of increased lorry movements to and from the site and other environmental problems.

“Hopefully, through continued engagement, we can get a satisfactory outcome that suits both business and local residents.”

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, is chairman of the Defence Select Committee.

He said: “While the primary emphasis must always be on Marchwood as a military port, the notion of combining this with some form of commercial enterprise is exciting.

“We must hope that the new leaseholders will be able to bring this to fruition for the benefit of the wider community.” 

Six years ago the government announced that the port would be sold or released to another operator.

Solent Gateway submitted the successful bid and was due to take control of the base in April - but the formal handover was repeatedly postponed as negotiations dragged on.

Cllr Harrison said the new operator hoped to use boats and trains whenever possible to move goods in and out of the site.

Marchwood Military Port, also known as the Sea Mounting Centre, is sandwiched between Southampton Water and the Totton to Fawley railway line. 

However, a Solent Gateway spokesman stressed that the company was unable to make any promises.

He said: “While it is our intention to maximise rail connectivity options into Marchwood, and make best use of existing port infrastructure, giving guarantees about future traffic movement is just not possible at this stage.”