Key decision-makers have been brought to the table in a bid to inject some impetus into the regeneration of Whitehill & Bordon.

Nearly a dozen people and groups with a hand in the future of the town came together last Monday in the first meeting of the Bordon Taskforce.

Their focus will be on “making real progress” with the W&B regeneration project and addressing the much-maligned delays in delivering a new supermarket, town centre, Mess Hall, Health Hub and more.

It’s been nearly a year since the project began but while some improvements like the relief road ad Hogmoor Inclosure community spaces have been welcomed, there has been little to show since apart from more hundreds more homes.

And while the pandemic and legal issues have played their part, excuses are now getting tiring with the closure of the Future Skills Centre and lack of additional infrastructure draining confidence.

Bordon Future Skills Centre
The doors to The Future Skills Centre have been closed for nearly a year. (Tindle/Paul Ferguson)

“Where regeneration has happened, the transformation has been impressive, but delays to key parts of the town centre have left residents rightly frustrated,” said Gregory Stafford MP.

The group, which included leaders, deputies and key figures from the county, district and town council, discussed how to accelerate major projects like the news Sainsbury’s.

One of the biggest concerns raised during the meeting at BASE Innovation Centre was poor communication, particularly on the heath hub project. Figures from the NHS Integrated Care Board, who attended along with counterparts from the WBRC, Stagecoach, PHL and Defence Infrastructure Organisation, were urged to improve engagement with residents, especially those with concerns about The Chase.

Participants heard “delays have tested people’s patience” with a two-year plan to improve communication being outlined during the meeting.

Sergeants Mess Bordon Vision
A vision for the Sergeants Mess site was unveiled last year. (Phoenix/WBRC/Prince Philip Park)

Elsewhere, Stagecoach confirmed that improvements to the 13 service are “expected soon” while the DIO reaffirmed its commitment to improving local infrastructure.

The Taskforce will meet again in June while Mr Stafford is adamant residents will see progress in the coming months.

Cllr Andy Tree, Whitehill Town Council leader and EHDC deputy leader, is looking forward to more of the same in months to come.

He said: “Having successfully improved communication as with residents as a grassroots local councillor over many years and having used my EHDC role since being elected in 2023 to try and hold decision-makers to account, I am very pleased that Gregory Stafford MP has identified the same issues.

“I very much welcome his proactive commitment to help unblock stagnation in areas EHDC has no direct control over and push for delivery of what our residents deserve.”

Cllr Richard Millard, Leader of EHDC, added: “I'm really pleased to have been working with Cllr Tree to achieve results for our residents and welcome Mr Stafford's observations of the challenges we face.

“I look forward to working together to ensure the different stakeholders deliver for our residents."

Robert Smith, who is leading the programme for DIO, said: “I am pleased to re-affirm DIO’s commitment to the sustainable regeneration of the former Bordon Garrison.

“I welcome the opportunity to continue to work with stakeholders to build on the progress we have made and to deliver this important infrastructure for the local community at Bordon.”