Background
Merton Rise comprises 53 hectares of land owned by the Hampshire County Council. In June 2004, outline planning consent was granted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the development of up to 950 residential dwellings, the new school, Everest Community College, a neighbourhood centre, open spaces and an area for employment uses.
The site is one of seven within the North Basingstoke Action Plan which coordinates social, economic and environmental development in the area. The new Everest Community College is identified as an important element of the regeneration process identified within the Action Plan.
Not only will this development contribute towards housing needs in Basingstoke, including affordable housing and the regeneration of the Popley neighbourhood, but it will also promote best practice in developments of this kind and bring in revenue that will allow Hampshire County Council to invest in other services.
The development of the site is split into six phases. The first two have been completed resulting in the opening of the new Everest Community School and the construction of 160 houses at the eastern end of the site. The remaining phases are being rolled out consecutively each having its own master plan setting out how the buildings and landscape should be designed to promote a high quality environment. The master plans, which have been prepared by the County Council, place a strong emphasis on the need for thoughtful, high quality development that has wide ranging benefits for local communities.
