New riverside park draft designs published
Update: March 2025
View of central square and viewing platform overlooking the River Anton within the new riverside park
The draft designs for Andover’s spectacular new riverside park at Western Avenue have been published today.
Since adopting the masterplan, Test Valley Borough Council has been working with a team of renowned landscape, highways, and ecological specialists, to deliver on the community’s aspirations for more green space in the town centre. The new park will open up new views of the River Anton, which is currently hidden by the large expanse of tarmac along Western Avenue.
By changing the road layout and creating a space for inviting landscapes and accessible pathways along the river, the changes will help to foster a seamless connection between the western side of the town, the river, Town Mills park and the new The Lights theatre.
And by weaving past with present, the riverside park’s beautifully crafted designs grant a glimpse into the area’s rich history, which was once used for growing watercress.
There will be spaces for events and food and coffee stalls, fostering community interaction and celebration. A path will meander through the site dotted with seating, welcoming people to rest and reflect. There will also be innovative play elements to enjoy and inspire, providing opportunities for recreation and discovery. All while showcasing the town’s picturesque watercourse, which will be extended and enriched with new planting, creating thriving habitats and enhancing the new park’s natural beauty.
The proposals are now available to view at www.thinkandovertowncentre.co.uk and you can share your thoughts on the draft designs by emailing thinkandovertowncentre@testvalleygov.uk
The project team will also be on hand in the former O2 unit in the Chantry Centre to talk about the plans and answer questions on:
Thursday 27 March – 2pm to 7pm
Saturday 29 March – 10am to 1pm.
View of southern entrance into the park looking north
The news comes hot on the heels of the release of the designs for the new The Lights theatre, which is set to relocate to the old Poundstretcher unit in the heart of the town centre.
Leader of the council, Cllr Phil North said:
“This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved in these projects as we share draft plans and designs with residents, following a huge amount of hard work behind the scenes.”
“The people of Andover told us that they wanted us to make more of the river, as it is such a wonderful asset that is largely hidden from view. Town centres are changing, they are fast becoming places for leisure and living as well as just retail and the opportunity to create more green space for people to relax, play and socialise, while remaining connected to the heart of the town, gives us the chance to create something truly special that will breathe new life into Andover.”
The highways scheme is a joint project by Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council in their capacity as the highway authority and they have worked closely on the new road layout. Western Avenue is currently an oversized road that acts as a barrier to the town centre and the extensive traffic modelling shows that the new road layout can accommodate the traffic travelling through the area.
The designs have been shared ahead of the council submitting a planning application for the new park and highway changes later this spring. Residents will be able to have their say on the finer design details for the park following the planning process.
This project is part funded from the regeneration funds of £18.3m awarded to Test Valley Borough Council by the UK Government.
View of new park showing proposed areas for play and relaxation and looking south towards the central square and pavilion
View from within the proposed new pavilion where people can sit and relax to enjoy views over the river
Planned highways works: Western Avenue and West Street
Update: October 2024
On Monday 28 October 2024, Hampshire County Council (HCC) will commence a series of highways survey works along Western Avenue, West Street and Waterloo Court. The works will take around five weeks to complete.
The surveys are being carried out to assess the ground conditions ahead of Test Valley Borough Council progressing plans to develop a new picturesque park alongside the River Anton, which will provide an attractive route for pedestrians and cyclists, whilst improving the ecological habitat. The survey works are required to support the submission of a planning application.
HCC will carry out the highways works across small sections of the roads, which may result on occasion in one lane along Western Avenue being closed. We suggest accounting for this when planning your journey through the town.
Vehicles will still be able to use the roads during this time and there will be no full road closures at any stage.
Access to nearby car parks on West Street and the Chantry Centre will not be affected and the bus station will remain fully accessible.
Water wildlife to thrive as restoration works to begin along the River Anton
Update: September 2024
Previously restored section of the River Anton at Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve
Marking the start of the next phase of Andover’s town centre regeneration, works are due to commence to sections of the River Anton this year with ecological enhancements to protect the natural chalk stream, its wildlife and plants.
With support from Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, Southern Water is leading the restoration project using funds from the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). The WINEP initiative aims to support water companies and their primary role in providing a resilient supply of water to the public and protecting and enhancing the environment, which includes restoring good ecological health to chalk streams.
