PLANS to turn the River Anton into a focal point of Andover will feature heavily in a new 20-year strategy aiming to improve the town, the Advertiser can exclusively reveal.

The waterway is set to play a leading role in the new Andover Vision project, which will officially launch tomorrow.

Among plans included in the 20-year scheme, which follows on from the previous Andover Vision, are proposals to improve access and landscaping beside the Anton.

This will be focused particularly around Town Mills Pocket Park and the area around Bridge Street.

Supporters of the project, which is being led by Test Valley Borough Council, hope this will encourage better use of the area and make it a focal point for the town.

Official plans for such a project are yet to be lodged, however those behind the Andover Vision scheme say that improving the river will play a key part.

Councillor Phil North, who is chairing the new Andover Vision scheme, told the Advertiser: “It is a real privilege to chair the renewed Andover Vision project, which has brought together a wide variety of community groups, organisations and businesses to shape our ambitions for the future of Andover.

“One of the major themes to come out of the project is the people of Andover’s desire to make the most of the River Anton.

“Suggestions include a landscaped riverside environment that would flow from the area opposite Wilkinsons past the Town Mills and into Pocket Park.

“The intention is that it would be both inviting and interactive with trees, benches, wider footpaths and better wildlife habitat.

“This is one of the many ways in which the Andover Vision partnership is planning to enhance our town.”

The revised Andover Vision, which is due to run until 2037, is being launched following the end of the previous 10-year project.

The former Vision scheme set out a variety of improvements for the town, including the re-development of The Lights Theatre and building a new cinema.

Although no plans have been formally announced under the new Vision project, those behind the scheme have set out five broad initiatives in which they hope to operate.

These are: connecting the community, having a thriving town centre, supporting businesses, improving health and supporting the green environment.

Enhancements to the River Anton fall into the latter category, which also includes a focus on nurturing the town’s green spaces and encouraging the growth of community-led conservation projects.

Councillor North added: “There are five ambitions that Andover Vision has identified and each one has a set of big ideas describing what we will work on together to help Andover fulfil its potential.

“As part of a consultation, we spoke to over 1,500 people, including 360 schoolchildren.

“Working with 40 stakeholders, we developed five ambitions for the Andover Vision and each one has a set of big ideas describing what we will work on together to help Andover fulfil its potential.”

As part of the project, another possible scheme is the introduction of an interactive walking game around the town.

This system, which could be fitted to lampposts across Andover, will allow users to take on challenges such as walking the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

Other more broad proposals, set out in the project’s 16 page brochure, include more events to improve community spirit and strengthening links between local businesses and schools to improve aspirations among students.

Another key aspect of the new Vision project is to strengthen links between the town and its new communities, including Picket Twenty and Augusta Park.

Promoting positive mental health will play an important role in the Vision project, with a focus on getting authorities to work together to get people support at the right time.

The new Vision plan also aims to improve Andover’s market offering - a concept which they describe as the town’s “unique selling point”.

The launch of the new Andover Vision will take place at The Lights Theatre on Saturday.

The event will be attended by representatives of Vision’s 40 stakeholder groups, who will get to see the project’s key goals for the first time.

Those behind Andover Vision then plan to release details about more specific projects in the coming months.