A RURAL Hampshire industrial park could be cleared to make way for homes, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Plans have been unveiled by BST Warehouses to build 72 homes on the current Sawmills Industrial Park just south of Wickham which will be converted into mix of houses and flats.

The proposed development will see the construction of two one-bed, 33 two-bed, 20 three-bed and 17 4-bed homes.

Developers of Welborne, Buckland Development has said that the plan is the first step of progress to developing Welborne and the homes are included in the Welborne village plan of 6,000 homes.

In a statement, BST Warehouses said: “The buildings are presently in a poor state of repair due to the turnover of different tenants at the site, and visually, create a poor setting for both the nearby residential properties and the open countryside beyond.”

Councillor Katrina Trott, who represents Fareham East on the borough council said: “The residents that I have spoken to in the summer have been supportive of the development.

“It will be an improvement of the current usage of the site which is an industrial area at present.

“I am happy that the developers are proposing ‘30 per cent affordability’ but understand all of this but will be shared ownership that is part rent and part buy.

The plans are expected to go to council planners in November. and comments must be made to the council by October 3.