Plans to build 400 homes on former paper mill site

A site formerly home to a historic banknote paper mill could be transformed into a 400-home development under new plans.

The proposal for a "vibrant and distinctive new community", includes 13 hectares (32 acres) of green infrastructure on the Overton Paper Mill site in Hampshire.

Portals had been producing banknote and security paper for more than 300 years and opened the Overton site in 1922. It closed the business in July 2022 after its contract with De La Rue ended.

The developers said the scheme would bring "significant benefits" but some residents have expressed concerns about the size of the development and the impact on the village.

The proposal includes 100 one and two-bedroom apartments, 33 two-bedroom houses, 181 three-bedroom houses, 71 four-bedroom houses and 15 five-bedroom houses, along with pedestrian and cycle routes.

Among objections to the scheme are concerns about the scale of the development , with one objector writing that it would place "unacceptable pressure on infrastructure and services that are under severe strain".

The planning documents state: "The aim is to achieve a development with a strong identity and distinct sense of place, while at the same time integrating with the existing built fabric of Overton and Quidhampton."

Applicants Land Investment Projects Limited and Portals Paper Limited said the planning application followed a public consultation and meetings with Basingstoke and Deane and Overton Parish Council.

According to a planning document, almost 93% of respondents said it was "preferable" to redevelop the brownfield site to "help meet the area's future housing needs".