Collaborative academic partnerships commence

In March 2016, Whitehill and Bordon were selected as one of ten ‘Healthy New Town’ demonstrator sites across England. The University of Portsmouth is the academic partner for this development which is led by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and includes multiple cross-sectoral partners. The development will include a thriving new town centre, new leisure and retail facilities, a care centre and a business park; all being built on the ex-military land. Significant amounts of green space is also being retained.

The University of Portsmouth’s Role

One of the University’s roles is to advise the EHDC on delivering innovative solutions into each of the following work streams:

  •         Healthy Home and Built Environment
  •         Movement, Access, Connectivity and Active Travel
  •         Healthy Environment
  •         Vibrant Communities and Access to Services

Initiatives to achieve these work streams will include solutions to help residents eat more healthily, provide a stimulating environment and encourage residents to exercise more with the aim of reducing obesity and keeping people living in their homes for longer.

An opportunity not to be missed

The opportunity has emerged due to the relocation of the Army garrison from Bordon to Salisbury Plain. Whitehill & Bordon is located 25 miles NE of Portsmouth, just off the A3. An additional 3,350 new homes (including social housing) will be built on the land vacated by the military on the edge of the existing town of 10,000 homes.

Part of the Health and Wellbeing theme

Professor Gordon Blunn and the Health and Wellbeing research theme are hosting a collaboration workshop at the university to bring together multiple stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaborative research and innovation activity surrounding the development of the Healthy New Town.  This workshop will include presentations from university academics and several of the project leaders on the work steams aforementioned, followed by breakout sessions to generate these new research ideas.

Find out more at the upcoming Whitehill and Bordon Event to be held on Wednesday 25th April

If you would be like to attend this event please book your place on Eventbrite where more information about the Whitehill and Bordon Event is available.

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