IT is the development which could bring a “wave of prosperity” to Southampton and Hampshire.

Ambitious plans to provide thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment to the region can be exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo today.

Seventy-eight acres of unused land at Adanac Park next to the M271 would be transformed into a complex of offices, business units and homes.

Barker-Mill Estates, one of Hampshire's biggest landowners, is set to apply for planning permission to develop the site later this year.

It already has the green light to build 10,000sq metres of office space from Test Valley Borough Council dating back to 2008 and 2009 but that was granted with a view for one large, multinational firm to build headquarters offices on the entire site.

With no interested parties coming forward, Barker-Mill has now gone back to the drawing board and come up with plans that could attract a number of different businesses on eight plots of land at the site.

Ordnance Survey, which opened its £40m new headquarters in 2010, and a Holiday Inn Express are the only current occupants of Adanac Park.

The new master plan for the site contains space for a range of different business types which would allow new or expanding companies to set up offices, industrial space and storage facilities.

There would also be a bar or restaurant and up to 70 homes on two sites.

As well as bringing in tens of millions of pounds worth of investment, the team behind the plans believe the development could create 3,000 jobs for local people.

Planning applications for the various plots of land are expected to be handed in to Test Valley Borough Council in September.

One application for a site which sits across the boundary between Test Valley and Southampton City Council, will be handed in to both authorities at the same time.

Barker-Mill believes the development would meet a desire for jobs among the surrounding community, having commissioned a survey of 750 residents in Nursling, Rownhams, North Baddesley and Romsey.

Seventy three per cent of those asked in the survey said they would welcome jobs.

Barker-Mill trustee Tim Jobling said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the area that focuses on inward investment and thousands of potential jobs - both things the area needs and residents want.

“We all know the UK needs a kick-start to break out of slow growth. The vibrant proposition offered by the Adanac Park master plan is the push that might do the same for our local region.

“Adanac Park would create fresh impetus not just for the companies who arrive there to do business, but the hundreds more firms further down the supply chain whose order books would benefit.”

Business leaders from Hampshire have welcomed the plans.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jimmy Chestnutt said: “If Adanac Park could be made to happen there is the prospect of waves of benefits and potential prosperity spreading up through the county.

“I hope the powers-that-be get behind these plans as they take shape so we can maximise the enormous boost of jobs, new businesses, homes and economic activity.”

Business South chief executive Sally Lynskey said: “Adanac Park would be a massive injection of investment into Southampton and the Test Valley. We're very much behind it and look forward to seeing the plans.”

Public exhibitions of the plans will be held today from 4.30-8pm and tomorrow from 10am to 2pm at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill, Romsey Road, Southampton.

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