THE potential for development and investment in Whitehill and Bordon came under the spotlight this week as Hampshire County Council deputy leader Michael Woodall visited the town. Mr Woodall, the executive member for economic development, met with local councillor Adam Carew to examine the possibilities for economic regeneration in Whitehill and Bordon. Adam Carew said: "I was keen to invite Mike down here so he could see for himself what the situation is like and what potential there is here for regeneration. "Whitehill-Bordon is special and outside of Aldershot, there are no similar regeneration opportunities like this being explored in the whole of Hampshire. "Cllr Woodhall seemed to like the green and open feel to the town and clearly felt there were exciting opportunities here for renewal. He reiterated the county's full backing for the Whitehill-Bordon Opportunity and I am very grateful for his support." Mr Carew and Mr Woodhall went on a tour of the town. The councillors looked at The Forest Centre, and discussed the integration project and the new Wilkinson's building. They looked at the trading estates and then met up with chairman of the Business Breakthrough Group Ian Dowdle to examine the situation with the High Street and the regeneration that is needed. Adam Carew said: "We have been concerned for some time that proposals for the High Street cannot wait for the army to go and need to be addressed now. We have been waiting for the consultants to report to EHDC since April. This issue needs come to council to be discussed – we expect it will do so shortly." Another area of concern is Viking Park, situated behind the Jet garage which has been designated as a recreation ground in the local plan. Outline permission was granted on this and the land was cleared a few years back. Mr Carew stated that he would also like to see some positive support focussed on shops at the Whitehill end of town as part of any regeneration process. Mr Carew said: "Both the High Street and Viking Park are highly visible. If we can get things really moving here it will send a strong signal to businesses and the people of Whitehill and Bordon that things really are changing for the better. "We are urgently in need of more recreation and shopping facilities and we want people to shop and spend their money here rather than outside the town. "We want businesses to come and invest here and with the Army going they will be essential to our future."
