New headquarters for map agency

National mapping agency Ordnance Survey is planning to build a new headquarters on the outskirts of Southampton.

The agency has been based in Romsey Road since 1969, but the premises are proving too expensive to maintain and are in need of extensive modernisation.

Bosses are in the process of securing a site a mile away, at Adanac Park, alongside the M271 gateway to the city.

If everything goes to plan, the operation and the 1,160 existing staff will move to the new building in 2008.

The plans also include separate warehouse facilities but a site for that has not yet been found.

Vanessa Lawrence, director general and chief executive of Ordnance Survey, said: "This is a sound investment for the future.

"It is essential that we have a modern building suitable for a forward-looking information and technology business."

The Ordnance Survey has been based in the Southampton area for 160 years.