Progress is being made on a multi-million-pound investment to enhance a port’s operations.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is nearing completion of the first phase of its Solent Gateway Port of Marchwood development work.

ABP, which runs the site on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, has submitted a planning application for the next phase of the project.

Once finished, Solent Gateway will be improved with 3,500 car storage bays, HGV storage and loading facilities, a covered vehicle processing centre warehouse, office space and wash bays.

An ABP spokesperson said the overall development was key to realising the site as a thriving port and to support the armed forces.

“We recently submitted detailed designs for the next phase of work to New Forest District Council for approval in support of the automotive sector,” the spokesperson said.

“This will support our operations and enable us to meet our customer requirements, given the strong demand we are experiencing for space within the main Port of Southampton.

“This phase of work comprises developing a 15-acre site for vehicle storage, vehicle inspection, and welfare facilities.”

New Forest District Council approved a hybrid planning permission in 2022.

The part of this application which was for full consent related to the first phase of the development, while the latest reserved matters application concerns the second phase.

Outlining the benefits of the project, the spokesperson said: “It will add much-needed additional port capacity to the Solent region.

“The development includes an ecological buffer on the port boundary to improve the visual impact for local residential areas and to support wildlife.

“With a new site entrance within the port boundary and improved vehicle management capability, there will be less congestion outside the port.

“It will also deliver more than 60 acres of biodiversity habitat off-site.”

Solent Gateway is a tax and custom site in the Solent Freeport.

The freeport is made up of eight different locations in New Forest, Southampton, Eastleigh, Portsmouth and Havant which offer tax breaks and retained business rates to strengthen investment, skills and employment in the region.