Development of a business park with its entrance on to one of the busiest roads in Petersfield is set to begin in the new year.

Gentian Developments, and project partner Sunny Day Trading, have completed the purchase of 6.1 acres of industrial land at Buckmore Park.

The site entrance in Winchester Road is next to the A3M and A272 junction, and local residents claim more development will make the road busier and even more dangerous .

For years they have been campaigning for a pavement on the Stoneham Park estate side of Winchester Road.

They claim it is dangerous to cross and traffic has increased dramatically in recent years – and now believe it is set to get worse.

This latest 50,000sq ft industrial and employment development will be built in tandem with the company’s adjoining site to provide more than 70,000 sq ft of business units on a site of 7.5 acres.

An 85-house and a large recreation park are also planned for Buckmore Park that is next to McDonald’s and the Great Oak Hotel.

Traffic lights already regulate traffic entering the Pikes Peak ‘super car’ store facility that is on the road into the site.

The lights on the Princes Road junction with Winchester Road are already causing traffic queues back on to the A3M and to the Bell Hill roundabout.

The site has outline planning permission, and Gentian are to submit a detailed application.

The new scheme will be targeting an “excellent” BREAM environmental rating and will look to be one of the most sustainable industrial developments ever carried out in the UK.

It will incorporate green roofs and rainwater gardens. There will also be provision of solar energy and enhanced biodiversity measures.

Gentian planning director Aiden Murray said: “We are looking forward to working with South Downs National Park to deliver a high-quality, sustainable employment scheme.

“This will service local and regional businesses and support the economic growth of this part of Hampshire and the surrounding