IS control of one of Hampshire’s biggest military bases about to be handed to a company partly owned by the Scottish Government?

That was the question being asked today on both sides of Southampton Water following the announcement that the little-known Solent Gateway Ltd is being lined up to manage Marchwood Military Port.

Under the deal the company will seek to maximise the port’s commercial potential and share the profits with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Yet the Daily Echo can reveal that Solent Gateway was launched last year by two existing businesses, one of which has only one shareholder – a company called Scottish Ministers.

This newspaper has confirmed that David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) is an arm’s-length company owned by the Scottish Government under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

It provides ferry and port operations services, primarily in Scotland.

The decision to name it the preferred bidder for the Marchwood contract is being viewed in some circles as part of an attempt to boost the Tory vote in Scotland, which is set to become a key battleground in the General Election.

Opinion polls have consistently suggested that the ruling Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) is on course to win the majority of Scotland’s 59 seats.

This has led to speculation that the party could hold the balance of power in the event of a hung parliament.

With Labour refusing to rule out a coalition with the SNP, every Tory vote could prove vital as David Cameron bids to retain power.

Almost everyone involved in the debate about the port’s future had expected Associated British Ports (ABP) to be named as the preferred bidder.

ABP is the owner of Southampton docks, just across the water from Marchwood, and has been battling to establish a foothold on the eastern edge of the New Forest for many years.

The company drew up proposals to turn part of the port into a car storage facility employing about 400 people.

But earlier this month the MoD chose Solent Gateway in a move that took almost everyone by surprise, including supporters of ABP.

People living near the port know little about the new company – and even less about its plans for the 330-acre site.

Solent Gateway has so far refused to reveal its proposals for the publicly owned land, which is surrounded by thousands of homes.

Daily Echo: PLANS: Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon. Picture - Marc Turner

Nicola Sturgeon

It is due to take over the running of the port in the autumn.

Despite its Hampshire-sounding name, the privately owned venture is based in Grimsby, Lincolnshire – almost 240 miles away.

The company is a joint venture between GBA (Holdings) Ltd and David MacBrayne Ltd, which is owned by the Scottish Government.

With the General Election only weeks away, political horse-trading is one of the theories surrounding the MoD’s decision to award the Marchwood contract to an enterprise with roots north of the border.

Villagers living in the shadow of the huge port are describing the deal as a “present to Scotland”.

Formed in 1851 as a private shipping company, David MacBrayne Ltd became the main carrier for freight and passengers in the Hebrides.

In 1973 it merged with Caledonian Steam Packet Company and in 2006 became the holding company for CalMac Ferries Ltd, operating as Caledonian MacBrayne, and Argyll Ferries Ltd.

But Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, dismissed suggestions that the Marchwood deal was aimed at capturing Conservative votes in Scotland.

He said: “Unless it made front page headlines in Scotland I can’t imagine it would make the slightest difference to the way Scottish people vote in the election. I think that’s carrying conspiracy-mindedness to a level I wouldn’t subscribe to.

Many campaigners are more concerned about the involvement of Solent Gateway’s partner, GBA (Holdings) Ltd.

Marchwood councillor Alison Hoare said its main source of income was car imports and exports and added: “I have a horrible feeling that their plans for the port are more or less the same as those that were drawn up by ABP.

“It’s a huge concern in Marchwood – our roads are almost at the point of gridlock. At the last count something like 1,500 lorries were going in and out of the village every day. I don’t think Bury Road and Jacobs Gutter Lane can take any more.”

Fellow councillor David Harrison, pictured below, added: “What Solent Gateway are planning to do is much more important than who they are.

Daily Echo: David Harrison

“I’m keen that they share their plans so we can assess the likely impact on residents and the local environment.”

But Solent Gateway is refusing to shed any light on its proposals for the base, saying the deal has yet to be finalised, and the MoD is staying silent on why the company has been chosen as the preferred bidder.

A MoD spokesman said: “We cannot provide any further information until a deal has been agreed and a contract has been signed.”

A Scottish Government spokesman added: “David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) is an arm’s-length company owned by Scottish Ministers which provides ferry and port operations services through contracts won competitively.

“Although DML’s core market is Scotland, the company is keen to explore opportunities elsewhere which align with its business expertise and public service ethos.

“This strategy is supported by Scottish Ministers as sole shareholder.”

Keith Petty, chairman of Marchwood Parish Council, is adopting the same stance as Cllr Harrison.

“Despite learning who the preferred bidder is, Marchwood residents are much more concerned about what their plans are for the port,” said Cllr Petty.

“We’re certain that activity at the port will increase, which will mean more lorries on our roads and more trains on the rail network.

“I’m very keen to know how the developers plan to ensure there is no negative impact on the lives of local residents.”