CAMPAIGNERS are urging the potential new operator of a Hampshire military base to consult the community over its plans for the huge site.

In a surprise move defence chiefs have announced that Solent Gateway Ltd has been chosen as the preferred bidder for Marchwood Military Port.

Villagers and politicians had assumed that the Ministry of Defence would choose Associated British Ports (ABP) – owners of Southampton docks.

As reported in the Daily Echo, ABP was keen to use part of the site as a car storage facility, creating up to 400 jobs in a scheme similar to the multi-storey compounds at Southampton docks.

But its proposal sparked fears that road and rail traffic in the Marchwood area would rise sharply.

It was even viewed as a new threat to neighbouring Dibden Bay – ten years after plans to build a container terminal on the site were thrown out.

However, joy at the decision not to let ABP run the military port is tempered by uncertainty surrounding Solent Gateway’s plans, which have yet to be revealed.

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, said: “My initial reaction has to be one of relief that the preferred bidder is not ABP.

“However, much will depend on the plans and intentions of Solent Gateway, a company with which I am at present entirely unfamiliar.”

Daily Echo:

Cllr David Harrison (above), who represents Marchwood and Totton South, added: “It’s critically important that the company engages with the community and that nothing is fixed without taking into account the needs and concerns of local people.”

The port, also known as the Sea Mounting Centre, is a 330-acre facility that supplies ships taking part in military operations around the world.

Daily Echo:

Competition A competition for bids was launched in May last year, with tenders evaluated on a number of financial, commercial and technical criteria.

Defence minister Phillip Dunne said yesterday: “Maximising the commercial potential of the port will bring financial benefits for years to come in terms of profit share and the reduction in the cost of services to the Army.

"In addition, the deal will bring benefits to the local community, including safeguarding existing jobs and creating new jobs.”

Solent Gateway, which hopes to take control in the autumn, is a partnership between vehicle logistics firm GBA Holdings and transport service business David MacBrayne Ltd, which operates ferries in Scotland and has been looking to move into port management.

Last night a Solent Gateway company spokesman refused to reveal its plans for the site, saying the deal had yet to be finalised.

An ABP spokesman said: “The decision does not change ABP’s commitment to investing in the development of the Port of Southampton and delivering the best service to our customers.”