THE former Royal Navy ammunition depot at Dean Hill is set to be reopened for office, light industrial and warehousing purposes.

It is in the process of being sold for an undisclosed sum, with contracts exchanged and completion due next month.

As a result, three planning applications have now been lodged, by Harving Limited, of Peterchuch, Hereford, with Test Valley Borough Council.

One of the applications is for the change of use of buildings on 4.41 hectares of land to office and light industrial status.

Another is for the use of the 24 tunnels beneath Dean Hill for warehousing and distribution and the third is for the construction of brick-built and engraved entrance signs, giving the site the name of 'Dean Hill Park'.

The applicants point out that the application is for a change of use and involves no physical site works, beyond any adjustment to surfacing to allow for car parking and landscaping.

They add that there may be a necessity to go back to the council if businesses renting any of the buildings have particular requirements.

A report on the state and the previous use of the site explains that the land was acquired by the Ministry of Defence in 1939 as a munitions storage depot for the Admiralty. During the next 64 years it was used for storage of munitions, ranging from small arms ammunition to 2,000 bombs.

There had also been limited storage of uranium, while nuclear weapons were also believed to have been kept there, although very much on a 'short stay' basis.

In addition to the buildings, said to be in good condition, the site has railway lines, a marshalling yard, grassed areas and access roads.

There is reference to the presence of asbestos on roofs and some ground pollution but the report points out that any risk to human health or to plant life is medium to low.

A spokesperson for the site's previous owner, Defence Estates, said the sale being processed involved the depot inside the heavy wire fencing and some land outside, including the social club. She added that some agricultural land outside the fencing was in the process of being sold to former owners and tenant farmers.

The houses which were tied to the Depot have been sold to individuals and to the Testway Housing Association, although one remains unsold.