ANDOVER’S biggest building, the 476,000 sq ft regional distribution centre at the former Andover Airfield, will be handed over to the Cooperative Group today by developers Goodman.

Construction work on the building started in June 2010 and will undergo a fit out programme by the Cooperative and be operational in early June.

All the on-site and off-site highways works will be completed before occupation of the building and the landscaping and planting works will be completed by the end of May.

Goodman will be handing over a cheque for £1 million to Test Valley Borough Council this week to cover some of the provisions contained in the legal agreement which was signed when planning permission was granted. The payment will cover a public art contribution of £200,000 and a training contribution of £500,000.

The balance will include a contribution for the off-site acoustic fencing which Goodman offered to improve the amenity of local residents on the A303.

Goodman will also be handing over to Hampshire County Council this week a payment of over £2 million for the highways contributions.

Goodman’s development director, Jason Harris, said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of this important first phase in the development of Andover Commercial Park. “Our thanks go to the contractor McClaren for their excellent performance on this contract.

“We are actively marketing the site to other potential occupiers and we expect to submit further planning applications later this year which will bring even more jobs to Andover.”