IT has been hailed as a multi-million-pound gateway into Southampton that will create at least 3,000 new jobs for people in one of the most modern developments in Hampshire.

These images show the new £40m home of mapmaking agency Ordnance Survey, which will be built next to the southbound M271 heading into the city.

The ultramodern building features a three-storey office complex of 16,409 sq metres and a neighbouring building that will house a children's nursery for the firm's relocating staff of 1,000 employees.

The plans were given unanimous backing at a meeting of Test Valley's Southern Planning Committee where members described it as a "futuristic building" and a "fantastic development" which they were "proud to have before them".

But as well as sharing their admiration for the plans, members of the planning committee also raised shared concerns over environmental issues including pollution and noise for residents in nearby Nursling, increased traffic and the potential problems with parking if employees are not fully catered for with the 556 parking spaces being provided.

Planning agent John O'Donovan, on behalf of Ordnance Survey, said they had made steps to safeguard local residents with an acoustic wall to prevent any additional noise and travel plans for employees.

Mr O'Donovan told the committee the Highways Agency had no objection to the plans, which include a new roundabout on Brownhill Way, and that pollution levels were all within Government guidelines.

"We have finer details to sort out but we are confident to deal with any environmental issues that may come up," he said.

A spokesman for Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce also criticised the plans.

"The Chamber is pleased to see new land being brought forward for employment use and that the Ordnance Survey - a major employer - is staying in this area.

"However, on the basis of information provided to date, we are not convinced that the improvements to nearby junctions will be sufficient to accommodate the increase in traffic flow involving Redbridge, the docks, the M271 and the M27 to and from the west of Southampton.

"Welcome though this development is, there is still the long-standing and well-identified shortage of land for port-related businesses to develop which remains unaddressed."

As well as providing a new home for Ordnance Survey, which will move from its outdated Maybush headquarters within the next two years, the 74-acre Adanac Park site in Nursling will also offer up to 60,000 sq metres of offices for state-of-the-art research and development and manufacturing premises together with car parking, landscaping, drainage and access roads.

Speaking after the committee's decision to approve the plans, Ordnance Survey's director general and chief executive Vanessa Lawrence said: "Our vision of a building fit for a world-class, 21st century mapping organisation is today much closer.

"This decision means we can modernise our working conditions - something that is essential for our future.

"We are delighted that the new Ordnance Survey building will be at a major gateway to the city, which has been our home since 1841.

"This is great news for our staff, most of whom live within the Southampton area."

After more than half a century as the mapmakers offices, the Romsey Road premises will be transformed into Southampton's biggest development with a £200m project for new shops, businesses and homes.