Multi-million-pound plans have been unveiled by council chiefs to redevelop a Hampshire town centre. 

The plans, which were put forward by Fareham Borough Council's executive committee last night, will see Fareham town centre redeveloped with a new multi-story car park, restaurant complex and the construction of hundreds of homes. 

The plans will focus on five key areas, including West Street, Market Quay, Fareham railway station, Civic area and Lysses car park. 

The council wants to offer a unique town centre experience to encourage both thriving day and night-time economies in the town. 

They claim this can be achieved through “a combination of good shopping facilities, plenty of choice for social and leisure activities and encouraging residential development for town centre living”.

Councillor Keith Evans, Fareham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and redevelopment, said: “In the past decade much has been done to improve the vibrancy of the town centre.

“The draft plan for Fareham town centre marks the beginning of the process to create a perfect fit for our borough’s future.

“Our emphasis is on creating accessible community facilities with enough housing to ensure our children have affordable homes in 20 years’ time.” 

However he stressed that the development “couldn’t simply be brought in straight away” but instead "would have to think about the best way to bring the plans in’’. 

The plans include increasing the height of buildings on West Street and redeveloping the area around Fareham railway station into a sustainable transport hub. 

The vision aims to equip Fareham Town Centre with the assets it needs to succeed in years to come and be ready to face the challenges that may arise in the future.

A public consultation will run from February 20 until March 26, with a final plan due in summer of this year.