FOLLOWING a multi-million pound initiative to bring new business and employment to Liphook, which was promoted by East Hampshire District Council in April, one of the two proposed pilot projects - the last undeveloped part of the OSU site in Midhurst Road - is being bought by the district council.

EHDC councillor Bill Mouland who represents Liphook, told The Herald: “EHDC is in the process of buying the site and contracts still have to be finalised. The main objectives are to secure new employment floor space and local jobs and the OSU site meets the agreed criteria for the Invest for Growth Initiative.

“The premises will be rented to business tenants and the rental income re-invested in the local economy, through apprenticeship and business support schemes.”

It is understood that the district council has also made an offer for the derelict former graphics site behind 45 Station Road.

In March, EHDC decided to allocate £1m in an Invest for Growth scheme which in turn would trigger a £1.6m contribution from the county’s government-funded M3 Local Enterprise Partnership.

EHDC stated the Invest for Growth scheme was an innovative project, through which the district council will look to acquire land and premises for business users and usage that may be under threat from higher value uses, such as residential development.