Eyesore site plan gets green light (From Romsey Advertiser)

Eyesore site plan gets green light

8:20am Saturday 21st April 2012 in Andover

MEMBERS of Test Valley Borough Council’s planning control committee have overturned a decision of the northern area planning committee to refuse permission for a convenience shop and takeaway at the junction of Salisbury Road and Millway Road in Andover.

The site, a former car dealership, has been left empty and deteriorating for many years.

However northern area councillors who turned down the application in March had cited potential parking problems, highway safety, noise and disturbance as reasons to refuse – plus the fact the proposals would have an adverse overshadowing effect on neighbouring properties.

In refusing permission councillors were acting against the advice of their officers and so the matter was referred to planning control – whose members were told that the council could face legal costs if there was a successful appeal against the decision.

Read more in this week's paper.