PLANNING officials have given the green light for a new major office development to be created in Eastleigh.

Members of the Eastleigh Local Area Committee approved the new four-storey block, which will be built on the old civic offices site in Leigh Road.

It will consist of the office block, as well as around 184 car parking spaces.

This will include 19 parking spaces with electric charging points, together with 44 cycle spaces and 15 motorcycle spaces. There is also landscaping and associated work.

Vehicle access is from Kornwestheim Way and the main pedestrian access is from Leigh Road with a further secondary access from Kornwestheim Way.

Councillor Paul Bicknell, cabinet lead for regeneration north at Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “This is an exciting development on a site that has been allocated for development in the Local Plan and is an ideal location for additional employment land with the creation of jobs and opportunities for local people.”

He added: “We will retain ownership of the site, and the business premises will add to our property portfolio, providing a significant rental income to the council.”

The cost of the investment and the names of the potential tenants have not been revealed yet.

In October 2015, the site was granted outline planning permission for a range of uses and residents were consulted.

The potential uses identified at the time included a car dealership and fast-food outlets.