The future of the former Overton Paper Mill site is beginning to take shape, with fresh plans now on the table for the disused land.
The mill, which was owned by historic security paper firm Portals, closed its doors in 2022. Now, property developer Commercial Estates Group (CEG) is working in partnership with Portals to submit an outline planning application to redevelop the brownfield site.
In a letter to residents, CEG described the site as “a fantastic opportunity” to address local housing needs. The proposal includes new homes set within green spaces, with footpaths, cycle routes, and areas designed to support biodiversity.
“The development will provide a mix of housing types, sizes and tenures,” the letter explained, “helping young people get a foot on the property ladder, while also offering options for families and those looking to downsize.”
CEG says the planning application will be supported by detailed environmental and technical assessments, with a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Request to determine what studies are required.
As part of the proposals, the developer has committed to contributing towards local infrastructure — including schools and healthcare — where needed. Plans also include sustainable transport improvements to better connect the area.
The Overton Mill site has already been highlighted in both the Basingstoke and Deane Draft Local Plan and Overton Parish Council’s draft neighbourhood plan as a potential spot for future housing growth.
Before submitting the planning application, CEG is inviting feedback from the local community. A public consultation event will be held on Wednesday, June 25, from 4pm to 8pm at Overton Community Centre on Winchester Street. Project team members will be on hand to answer questions.
Those unable to attend in person can view the exhibition materials and submit comments online from Monday, June 23, via overtonmillfuture.co.uk. Feedback is open until the end of July.
Portals has deep roots in the area, with its origins tracing back to 1712 when Henry Portal established a mill at Bere Mill on the River Test. The Overton site opened in 1922 and at its peak employed around 300 people, producing over 14,000 tonnes of banknote paper each year — mainly for major client De La Rue.
But in 2022, Portals announced the mill’s closure, citing rising costs and the ongoing financial strain of the pandemic, describing the operation as “no longer viable.”
Now, after more than a century of industrial legacy, the site may be heading for a new chapter — one with homes, green spaces, and a community-driven vision at its heart.
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