The public are being asked their views on the future of the redundant Bushfield Camp army base near Winchester.

Developers Legal & General and Gisborne, with landowners the Church Commissioners for England, have launched their consultation on plans for the circa 1 million sq ft regeneration.

The developers are proposing a mixed-use scheme that they say has the potential to attract major brands looking for new headquarters from sectors including life science, academia, media and the health sector.

The base near Badger Farm has been empty since the mid-1970s and much of it is undeveloped chalk downland. Campaigners have been calling for much of the site to be turned into a nature reserve.

Residents are invited to attend drop-in consultation events on Friday, November 18 from 3-7pm at Shawford & Compton Parish Hall and on Sunday, November 20 from 10-2pm at Badger Farm Community Centre.

READ MORE HERE: Concerns over development plans for Bushfield Camp

There is also an interactive map and comment form on the project’s website – www.bushfieldcampregeneration.co.uk – where residents can add their comments and questions.

This first round of engagement events will focus on listening to the community’s ideas and aspirations, with the developers having already committed to two further rounds of public consultation.

There will be another set of events in January to consult on the concept masterplan, with a final set of events held in March to gather local feedback on the final masterplan before a planning application is submitted early in the summer.

Hampshire Chronicle: Bushfield Down, Winchester. Photo: Andrew Napier

Bushfield Camp is already allocated for development in the current Winchester City Local Plan (2013).

SEE ALSO: New scheme revealed for former army base near Winchester

The emerging Local Plan also proposes to allocate the site for high-quality flexible business and employment space, an innovative/education hub and creative industries. The overall site extends to approximately 43 hectares (105 acres) within which a concept masterplan will be designed on approximately half the site, leaving a significant part of the site to be designed and maintained as publicly accessible and biodiverse green space.

Ben Rogers, head of regeneration for Legal & General's Real Assets division, said: " said: “We look forward to beginning our conversation with local residents on the future of the Bushfield Camp site. The project presents a huge opportunity to create a scheme which puts sustainability, inclusivity and wellbeing at the heart of its design.

"We know how important this site is to the city and wider District and we are committed to working collaboratively with residents and stakeholders to ensure the redevelopment is something of which we can all be proud.”