MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform one of Hampshire’s biggest industrial sites have been given the green light.

After an almost five-hour long meeting, civic chiefs at New Forest District Council approved the larger of two applications to redevelop land occupied by the former Fawley power station.

A total of 1,380 homes, a 2,100-space car park and 95,300 square metres of new commercial, civic and employment space are to be built at the site.

The scheme put forward by Fawley Waterside Ltd, is expected to create 2,300 jobs, most of which would be in the marine and technology industry.

During a special meeting of the planning committee at the district council, the plans were branded as one of the most significant planning application that the council’s planning committee “will ever be asked to determine”.

Most councillors welcomed the proposals and 15 out of 18 members voted in favour of the scheme, while one voted against it and two members abstained.

The developer described it as “the largest expansion of the New Forest landscaping for many generations”.

But civic chiefs asked for reassurance over transport, traffic, roadworks on the A326, the future of the railway as well health and education provision. Councillors and residents spent hours quizzing developers and officers over the impact of the scheme on the A326.

Talking to members resident Stephen Payne said the development and the dual carriageway on the A326 need to go “hand in hand”.

“We can’t have this wonderful development as it is. It would be fantastic but the misery it will cause to the people living in the area is just not viable,” he added. Cllr Mahmoud Kangarani

said: “It is causing trouble to approve this plan because of the traffic it is going to cause. It is very difficult. There’s no mitigation at the moment for the A326 that I can see viable.” Cllr Malcolm Wade suggested to defer the decision until a more detailed transport plan would be available.

But planning bosses said the transport package is “comprehensive”.

Both officers and developers highlighted that some improvement schemes for the A326 have already been agreed. These include the upgrade of eight junctions along the A326 and the B3053.

Members were also told that alternative transport is also being considered and that while a ferry proposal was not part of the application, “the transport strategy recognises that water transport could play a key role”.

Officers said they are satisfied that the proposed improvements mitigate the impact of the scheme on the highway network.

Applicant Aldred Drummond added: “Our ambition is to build one of the most beautiful towns in England and one with solid economic purpose. This is the most significant regeneration project in southern England.”

He also stressed that the scheme would boost the local economy and that the improvement on the A326 would be beneficial for local residents.

Councillors also approved proposals for a primary access road through the site. This would be about 2km in length with two new roundabouts.

Today members of the National Park Authority (NPA) will consider a separate proposal to build 120 homes and a primary school, plus flood defences and a sea wall, on land surrounding the main power station site. It is understood both applications must be approved before the scheme can go ahead.