The Northern Area Planning Committee (NAPC) of Test Valley Borough Council met to discuss planning applications for a new industrial development at Walworth Business Park, a park in Andover town centre, and housing in Fyfield. Councillors delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building for the Walworth Business Park and Andover town centre applications, pending further information and the completion of legal agreements. The Fyfield application was also delegated to the Head of Planning and Building, subject to a legal agreement.

Walworth Business Park Expansion Approved

Councillors delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building to approve application 24/02977/FULLN for the erection of four general industrial and storage/distribution buildings on Plot 90, Walworth Business Park in Andover, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement¹ to secure:

• A sustainable transport contribution of £564,233 towards pedestrian and cycle improvements in Andover on Walworth Road and Pilgrims Way.
• A financial contribution of £91,040 towards a new footpath link from Walworth Road to Strapp Road.
• Delivery of a travel plan, with monitoring fees.
• An employment skills plan.

The development proposes a mix of B2² and B8³ uses providing 42,033m² of maximum floorspace. The four buildings will be different in size and scale, but similar in design and appearance, clad in various levels of green. Two accesses to the site are proposed, with the existing access upgraded and improved, and a new secondary access serving solely building 2 to the northeast of the site. Structural landscaping will surround the entire site, with a cycle/pedestrian route connecting Walworth Road to Strapp Road through the site.

The application was presented to the committee because Test Valley Borough Council is the applicant and the proposal is for its own development, which is not minor.

Concerns were raised by Andover Town Council and 212 letters of objection were received, citing:

• Overdevelopment
• Traffic and parking issues
• The height of the buildings
• Loss of green space
• Health and safety concerns
• Environmental impact
• Increased traffic and congestion
• Wildlife displacement
• Devaluation of properties

The Walworth Business Park rejuvenation project is a key part of the council's strategy, as highlighted in paragraph 2.26 of the local plan: Walworth is experiencing high vacancy rates and poor environmental quality. The future economic performance of the town is closely linked to making improvements to the business park and improving its attractiveness to potential employees.

The council's planning position statement, Extension to Walworth Business Park, Andover (Plot 90), July 2015, clarifies that the council has no preference between single or multiple users, subject to an acceptable scheme being submitted.

The officer's report noted that the buildings would not contain any windows above ground floor level, so overlooking was not considered to be an issue. A daylight and sunlight assessment was submitted in support of the application, and the assessment is considered to be in full compliance with BRE criteria for light levels.

The officer's report also noted that a condition is recommended to ensure details of external lighting are submitted and assessed prior to their installation.

The officer's report concluded that the application is considered to meet the requirements of Policy LE8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and would also accord with the relevant planning policies contained within the local plan and is therefore acceptable.

Andover Town Centre Park Development

Councillors delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building to approve application 25/01047/FULLN for the closure/stopping up and removal of the southbound carriageway of the Western Avenue gyratory, with associated changes to the highway network, to allow for the development of a park.

The park will have areas of hard and soft landscaping, play areas, lighting, a pavilion, river viewing platforms and an off-road cycleway.

The submitted planning statement describes the proposals as follows:

The relocation of the southbound carriageway of the Western Avenue gyratory will provide the space for a new park to be created adjacent to the River Anton. The southbound carriageway is proposed to be relocated to sit alongside the northern carriageway of Western Avenue.

West Street is proposed to be widened to allow for this road to accommodate two-way vehicular movements. The bus station will be enhanced to accommodate a larger area for buses to turn around and exit back out via the northern section of West Street and onto Western Avenue via a new signalised junction.

The taxi bay and limited wait bay on West Street is proposed to be removed. Instead, this space will be widened so that it can be used as bus layover space to replace the loss of the bus stand on Western Avenue. A new time limited, on street, loading bay is proposed on Chantry Street. Taxi space re-provision is be located on Waterloo Court opposite the rear elevation of the proposed New Theatre. This is outside the red line boundary of this planning application but will be included in the public realm proposals for the New Theatre.

The existing entrance into Lidl from Western Avenue is proposed to be closed and changes to the exit and entrance points into the store from West Street are proposed to allow for a new access and egress arrangement.

The park will build on the success of the Pocket Park at Town Mills and provide beautiful new areas of hard and soft landscaping to create spaces for the community to enjoy, including space for events and pop-up coffee shops and food stalls within a new central pavilion. Areas of formal and informal play are also proposed, in addition to new river platforms providing views of the River Anton which will be enhanced through careful interventions to improve its chalk stream river habitat. The river enhancement works will be undertaken by Southern Water and have been confirmed by the Local Planning Authority to be permitted development (application reference 24/01337/CLPN).

An improved off-road cycle path for the National Cycle Network Route 246 is proposed along the western side of the river which will connect into the existing network north and south of the gyratory.

The committee delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building, subject to satisfactory completion of the consultation with the Council's Ecologist in relation to the additional ecological information received on 11 August 2025.

Andover Town Council objected to the proposals, raising concerns about increased traffic flow, congestion and disruption, particularly along West Street, potential increases in noise and air pollution to surrounding residential areas, increased concerns regarding pedestrian safety, and the loss of amenities.

Seven letters of objections were also received from the Chantry Lodge Residents Association and residents of Chantry Lodge and Portland Grove, raising similar concerns.

The officer's report noted that the site lies outside of, but adjacent to, Andover's primary shopping area, as defined by the RLP inset maps. Policy LE11 of the RLP seeks to encourage main town centre uses within Andover town centre, including leisure uses, to maintain the vitality and viability of the town centre. The officer's report also noted that the proposal forms part of the Andover Masterplan 2020, which aims to regenerate Andover town centre, and would enhance access into the town centre.

The officer's report concluded that the proposed development would be in accordance with the relevant policies of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016, the relevant sections of the adopted Andover Masterplan SPD, and would be acceptable.

Housing Development in Fyfield

Councillors delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building to approve application 24/01897/FULLN for the demolition of three existing agricultural buildings and erection of five dwellings with hard standing, soft landscaping and associated works on land south east of The Wayne, Grange Close, Fyfield.

The committee delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building, subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure a contractual obligation (s106 agreement) to secure the allocation agreement for nitrate neutrality between the applicant and Roke Manor Ltd.

The application proposes two detached 5-bed dwellings, with a terrace of three dwellings, two of which would be 3-bed with a further 2-bed property to the south.

The application site is located within the countryside, as defined by the Inset Maps of the Revised Local Plan. Policy COM2 of the local plan only allows development in areas of countryside where it is considered to either be a) an appropriate type of development or otherwise is b) an essential type of development, to be located in the countryside.

The officer's report noted that the proposal is neither considered to be of a type appropriate in the countryside, and neither is there considered to be an essential need for the development of open market housing in the countryside. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy COM2 of the local development plan and is not considered to be an acceptable form of development in principle. The proposals are a departure from the local development plan.

However, the officer's report also noted that prior approval (22/01070/PDQN) has been granted and remains valid for the conversion of five barns to five residential dwellings; the current scheme does not seek an increase in the number of dwellings that have approval. The officer's report stated that this fall-back position be given significant weight in the determination of the planning application, contrary to the provisions of the local development plan.

The officer's report also noted that on 31 January 2025, the council publicised its updated housing land supply. This figure sits at 2.76 years, so as set out in footnote 8 of the NPPF, the 'presumption in favour of sustainable development' is triggered, and 'tilted balance' (NPPF para.11d) applies to decision taking for applications for a net increase in homes and is a material consideration.

Fyfield Parish Council objected to the scheme, stating:

The Fyfield Parish Council view, echoing those of residents that have also responded, remains the same. We have no objection in principle against the proposed development, originally submitted under 22/01070/PDQN notwithstanding residual concerns. These relate to a) future overdevelopment of the site and b) access to the proposed site. In relation to the overdevelopment, we recognise that each application is reviewed on its own merit and not future potential, speculation, or hearsay despite this being a considerable concern of the residents.

Correspondence between the applicant and Hampshire County Council (HCC) confirms the proposed solution to access concerns include a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to restrict parking on Walnut Tree Ground for the initial 5-10 metres from the private access as well as at the junction with Fyfield Road including a £5,000 contribution (now paid by the applicant) to progress HCC works.

Walnut Tree Ground provides vital parking for the residents, in an area which already has significant parking constraints with residents parking along Fyfield Road further up the road after the Privet Lane turning. We do not believe imposing a TRO including double yellow lines is the solution to provide access to the proposed development. Such action would displace resident vehicles further compounding the extant parking and access issue. We would implore HCC to visit the site out of hours to recognise the extent of the issues and reconsider the proposal. Significant modifications and disruption to the local infrastructure and contested parking situation should not be to the benefit of property developments.

It should also be highlighted, the area is a quiet area where children play as Fyfield lacks amenities for families, with residents currently benefiting of more of a cul-de-sac feel enabling natural traffic calming due to traffic ingress/egress points being limited to Fyfield Road, thus providing a naturally safer space for play in addition to enhanced privacy and generally a quieter environment. The introduction of an access road to 5 dwellings opposed to a field, in addition to deliveries, refuse collections etc. will destroy this local ecosystem and damage the community-orientated space.

Sixteen public comments were also received, all objecting to the scheme.