THE public got their first look at ambitious plans to create a huge business and housing development on the edge of Southampton.

As exclusively revealed in the Daily Echo, plans have been drawn up to develop Adanac Park, which could eventually create 3,000 jobs.

Under the plans, which have been drawn up by site owner Barker Mill Estates, the 78-acre site could contain space for a number of different businesses, including offices and industrial units, storage facilities, a bar or restaurant and up to 70 homes on two sites.

The site, which is next to the M271, currently contains Ordnance Survey’s headquarters and a Holiday Inn Express.

T h e weekend saw the first public exhibitions of the plans at Oasis Academy Lords Hill.

Southampton North and Romsey MP Caroline Nokes and dozens of interested residents were on hand to take a closer look at the scheme.

Members of the public viewing the exhibition gave a variety of different views on the proposals.

Some were supportive, saying the development would provide a much-needed job boost for Southampton and Hampshire, as well as houses.

But others were concerned at the loss of green space, with others saying there is no need for a pub or restaurant at the site.

Planning applications for eight plots of land are expected to be handed in to Test Valley Borough Council and Southampton City Council during September.

Planning permission was granted for a large multinational company to build 10,000sq metres of office space at the site in 2009, but no offers materialised and Barker-Mill has redrawn the plans to encompass a number of different businesses.

There has already been some interest from businesses wanting to set up at the site, with Jane Mackinnan, from Jane Mackinnan School of Dance, wanting to set up a dedicated space for dance, martial arts and drama.

She said: “We could offer a facility where people at Ordnance Survey could do lunchtime dance, children at lunchtimes and adults in the evening.

“We need a home, and this could be an exciting opportunity.”

Barker-Mill trustee Tim Jobling said: “There was bad news for Southampton when it recently lost 500 jobs from the closure of the Ford Transit van factory. By contrast, this plan could generate up to eight times as many.”