Tuesday 28th July 2015

DEVELOPMENT plans for a section of Daedalus have been given the go-ahead.

A planning application for seven two-storey buildings has been approved and will see construction start in the Lee-on-the-Solent section of the former navy air base.

The waterfront area, which is within the Gosport boundary, has seen little development but the approval by Gosport Borough Council will see the start of business opportunities.

The seven buildings will be used for business, general industry or for storage and distribution and will look to offer employment and training for people in the town.

The council’s regulatory board voted unanimously to approve the application.

Board member Councillor Chris Carter said: ‘I welcome the application because we have been waiting for this for a very long time.’

Only one objection letter was received for the application and it questioned the management scheme of the site.

Cllr Carter added: ‘We need to ensure that we have careful management of the building site.

‘But this is a good thing for Gosport and I welcome it.’

One of the conditions of the application, is for details of employment and training measures to be submitted.

Speaking at the meeting, a council officer said: ‘We have introduced this condition because it will ensure that the new buildings provide opportunities to develop a skilled workforce within the borough.’

The Daedalus Enterprise Zone has seen many improvements over the past year, including £1.5m spent on the runway and the opening of a £5.3m Innovation Centre.

But a lot of the work was in the section of the enterprise zone which falls under Fareham Borough Council boundaries.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has previously praised the progression of Daedalus and the number of businesses that are moving in.

She said: ‘Daedalus is going well and the interest it is getting is incredible.

‘Business can flourish and build on their success.

‘That is key to bringing in the big firms.’

Source: The News 

For more details on Daedalus Park see the development’s website