PLANS have been submitted for a landmark development in Eastleigh that is set to be the focal point for the new community.

An application for a new local centre on North Stoneham Park, Chestnut Avenue has been submitted including plans for shops, cafe, gymnasium, community centre, nursery, offices and 26 age-restricted flats.

Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House (pictured) said: “The local centre will be a focal point for the new community of 1,100 new homes and is next to the new school that has just got planning permission.

“The flats for the elderly address a real planning need for homes close to local centres for older residents, many of whom need additional services and move from larger homes freeing up houses for younger families.

“So this is a really good application and the council is working closely with Highwood and Vivid who are leading on the North Stoneham site.”

The application shows plans for a two-storey gateway building containing a commercial unit- such as a local supermarket- at ground floor, a cafe at ground floor and a gym at first floor.

The flats will be for the elderly and there will be 14 one-bed apartments and 12 two-bed apartments with four on the ground floor, eleven on the first floor and eleven on the second floor.

The block will also include a residents lounge, a mobility scooter store, a reception, a residents garden and 13 car parking spaces.

Positioned behind the residents building will be a two-storey building providing a community centre, nursery and ancillary facilities as well as a 580 sq. m external play area.

There are also plans to develop a four-storey office building which will have 105 parking spaces including five disabled bays.

The application follows plans to build 1,100 homes at North Stoneham South which were granted in 2017 and plans for a new primary school which was approved in December.

Plans for the 1,100 homes were met with conflict from the locals in 2015 who staged a protest on North Stoneham Green. Some 150 resident objected to the plans.

A spokesperson from VIVID said: “VIVID is making good progress developing 756 homes with an investment of more than £100 million.

“Stoneham is a major new, thriving community and the first new residents have already moved in.

“Completion is expected by 2023 and a significant portion of the development will be homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.

“We’re aware of planning approval for a local centre by another developer.”