A £17m masterplan to breathe new life into an eyesore site in Hampshire and create 500 jobs is being welcomed by local traders.

Business near Eling Wharf in Totton say plans to transform the site into a thriving complex with shops, homes and restaurants will rejuvenate the town and draw in more trade and tourists.

However, they insist more should be done to ensure roads are improved to avoid the town grinding to a halt.

As previously reported in the Echo, site owners Burt Boulton Holdings Ltd (BBH) wants to create a new waterfront complex overlooking Southampton Water with a supermarket, retail units and 340 homes.

Daily Echo: Eling Wharf in Totton.

The plans will go on show to the public next week before a planning application for the 37-acre site is submitted later this year.

The company estimates the scheme, to construct a new community, would involve investing at least £17million into the area, and it is hoped that a new supermarket alone would create between 300 and 350 jobs.

BBH, along with architect firm Mountford Piggot has created a masterplan, which includes housing on the southern end of the site, with retail in the centre and a business zone in the north and eastern section.

There are plans for infrastructure improvements aimed at alleviating any future traffic problems as well as attempting to solve current problems in Totton itself.

Daily Echo:

Steve Jones, is manager is the manager of Quickdraw Supplies in Salisbury Road, is hoping to set up a new unit in the development as its warehouse in High Street will be demolished as part of the scheme.

He said: “It’s going to be excellent for Totton.

"It will draw more people into the town including holidaymakers.

"At the moment it’s a wasted piece of land, and it needs to be made beautiful.

“People often say 'Rotton Totton' is in desperate need of development.”

“They are going to change the roads to compensate for it.”

Michael Wort, from Venture Motorcycles in Rumbridge Street, hailed it as a “fantastic idea."

He said: “It’s the best thing that could happen to Totton.

“It’s about time they did something about the wharf area, and it will improve things for local people."

“But they might need another road there.

Wendy Wallace, manager at the Brimar Guest House in Rumbridge Street, said: “The plans look good as, at the moment, this end of Totton is pretty dead.

"Most people go to Commercial Road.

“It might bring more people in to this side of Totton, which is a good thing as there will be restaurants and shops.”

Residents are invited to public exhibitions which will be held between 3pm and 8pm on Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 7 at Totton Masonic Hall in Lexby Road.