A PRIVATE company chosen to run one of Hampshire’s biggest military bases has vowed to consult the public over the site’s future.

Solent Gateway Ltd, which is partly owned by the Scottish government, has been given the go-ahead to manage Marchwood Military Port for the next 35 years.

But the recently-formed company has yet to reveal its plans for the 330-acre site, which is surrounded by homes and narrow roads.

Ward councillor David Harrison said: “There will be a huge amount of anxiety among residents as to exactly what commercial use of the port will entail.

“We certainly don’t want to see an increased number of HGVs using the existing road structure, which is already straining at the limits.

“I will be expecting Solent Gateway to engage with locally-elected representatives at an early stage.

“We can co-operate to try to ensure there are economic benefits and job opportunities, but not at the expense of the precious New Forest environment.”

Last night a Solent Gateway spokesman said people working at the port would be the first to be told about the company’s plans for the site.

But he vowed that bosses would also consult the wider public, saying community engagement was “very high” on their list of priorities.

Solent Gateway is a consortium comprising transport specialists David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) and global logistics firm GBA (Holdings) Ltd.

DML is an arms-length company owned by the Scottish government has been running ferry and port facilities in Scotland for 160 years.

GBA, which provides services to several industries, currently operates out of 14 ports in the UK and has also interests in Turkey and India.

Martin Dorchester, DML’s chief executive, said the company would look at ways of “maximising unused areas of the port”.