ONE of Hampshire’s top politicians is demanding to know if the Government will allow commercial docks to be built at a huge army base.

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis has written to Defence Secretary Liam Fox over the future of Marchwood Military Port, which is due to be privatised by the Ministry of Defence.

Dr Lewis is worried that the Government will allow part of the site to be used for non-military purposes.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the proposed sale of the 300-acre port, also known as the Sea Mounting Centre (SMC), has sparked fears that Associated British Ports (ABP) will launch another attempt to build a huge container terminal on the edge of the New Forest.

Six years ago plans for a six-berth complex at Dibden Bay, next door to the port, were rejected on environmental grounds.

However, the company says it is still determined to build a massive dock development in the Hythe and Marchwood area to meet demand.

In his letter to Dr Fox, Dr Lewis says the proposed sale of the military port could allow ABP to gain a foothold.

He adds: “The greatest threat to the welfare and quality of life of thousands of my constituents has, for many years, been the ambition of Associated British Ports to develop a huge container port on sensitive land at Dibden Bay.

“Please advise me whether any buyer would simply be permitted to continue with SMC operations or would be allowed to undertake other activities.

“The Sea Mounting Centre is greatly valued in our community and any disposal of the freehold should not be allowed to resurrect the single biggest development threat to the quality of life of my constituents.”

ABP also wants to know if the port will be retained for military use only.

Patrick Walters, the company’s commercial director, said: “ABP’s interest in a sale of Marchwood would be determined, in large part, by the extent of ongoing military activity on the site.”

ABP has repeatedly defended its intention to revive plans for a container terminal in the area. Company bosses say new facilities are needed because port traffic is expected to rise by almost 60 per cent over the next 20 years.

The Marchwood site, used to load supplies aboard ships involved in military operations, is equipped with cranes and jetties. However, campaigners claim that commercial activity at the port would result in too much noise, light pollution and lorry traffic.