THE future of the controversial former Ordnance Supply Unit (OSU) site opposite the village green, Liphook, still hangs in the balance, following a two- day public enquiry. A planning application made by Deep Harbour Properties Ltd and The Executive Care Group for development of the brownfield site – comprising 49 retirement apartments, 51 close-living apartments, a nursing home, 24 affordable housing units, four key worker flats and B1 business units with access to the site from Canada Way and additional car parking for Liphook station – was refused by East Hampshire District Council last December. The provision for the elderly in Liphook, as well as the difference in care and accommodation was the main topic of the public enquiry. It was stated that out of a total population of 8,363, 3,005 were in the over 50s bracket, thereby representing one third of the total population of Liphook. However, there are already several developments under construction which cater for the elderly at the former King George Hospital site in Bramshott, with 120 retirement homes and 29 residential apartments in Tower Road. The inspector stated that the OSU site happens to be equally convenient for both employment as well as nursing care for the elderly, but felt the proposed planning layout of three industrial units, located between housing, somewhat strange. Proposed access to the site from Canada Way, north of the roundabout, was not disputed and perceived to be the most suitable position. A potential of 415 new residential dwellings in Liphook – from reserved sites at Silent Gardens (110), Losley Farm (155) and the King George Hospital site (150), as well as a further 450 new developments around the parish – were taken into consideration by the inspector. Present at the public enquiry was Dr Barbara Rushton, one of six doctors from the Newtown Surgery in Station Road, who has practised in the village for more than 20 years, voiced her concern at the proposed plans. She felt that the lack of larger surgery premises and car parking facilities would make it more difficult for doctors to deal with the increased provision for patient care. Dr Rushton was also concerned that the proposed plans did not make any provision for other medical needs, especially if the new patients were predominantly elderly. Local resident Russell Ellis has been campaigning to keep the former OSU site a designated 'employment site' told the Herald: "This is a brownfield site, which means it is a designated site for employment and not for houses. "There are already nursing homes and sheltered accommodation, which together with the two new developments on the former King Geroge Hospital site and Tower Road must be more than adequate for Liphook, as there are always vacancies. "What Liphook needs is to bring commerce back to the village and employment for local residents and school leavers," he added. A previous appeal was launched on the former OSU site when Tifftop Ltd wanted to build houses on it. At the time, the Government official leading the enquiry stated that it was imperative that the site should be kept for employment, as it was the only brownfield site left in Liphook.

l The former OSU site was originally a vast service depot for the Army, employing hundreds of people from near and far. When the site became vacant, it was purchased by Sainsbury's, 10 years ago, who were given permission to build a supermarket, a community building, a village green, affordable houses and 200 private dwellings, with the condition that the remaining land was to remain an employment site. All requirements have been met, with the exception of the employment site. According to Anna James, chairman of the Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council planning committee, councillors wish to see the balance of the entire OSU site retained, as originally planned and also wish to see health and youth facilities being included. Mr Ellis went further: "We could really do with commercial facilities, a wine bar, restaurant and something for families, like for instance a ten-pin bowling alley, which would provide employment facilities for adults and young people alike."