THE official blueprint for the development of Andover and the Test Valley over the next 20 years was unveiled this week.

It could lead to significantly more development in villages – although the borough council is promising to retain the four strategic gaps that separate the town from its neighbours.

Under the draft Core Strategy proposals outlined to the Andover Advertiser by senior planning officer Steve Lees and deputy leader Councillor Martin Hatley, the council is looking to continue with the development of Andover and has shifted more of the emphasis of development from south to north.

The aim is to bolster Andover’s growing reputation as a place “open for business” and to secure the future of remaining rural services, such as schools, shops and public transport, by making provision for more families in rural communities.

“For the first time since the early 1990s we have reviewed all our village boundaries,” said Mr Lees. “We have had a pretty restrictive planning policy and it has come in for criticism from the last two planning inspectors.”

Villages whose boundaries have been reviewed are: Abbotts Ann, Amport, Appleshaw, Barton Stacey, Broughton, Chilbolton, Enham Alamein, Goodworth Clatford, Grateley, Hatherden, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Kimpton, King’s Somborne, Leckford, Longparish, Longstock, Monxton, The Wallops, Palestine, The Pentons, Shipton Bellinger, Stockbridge, Thruxton, Upper Clatford/Anna Valley, Vernham Dean, Weyhill and Wherwell.

While most of the borough’s housing allocations will continue to be made in Andover and Romsey the draft Core Strategy says that “because of the level of facilities available to help support and sustain communities, some additional development may be appropriate”.

Cllr Hatley said many villages had had no development for a long time.

“There is a shortage of smaller houses – if any village can show there is a local need we will now have policies in place that allows for this,” he said.

Areas outside the newly defined boundaries are described as “countryside” and any development is only permitted if it is deemed essential.

While the boundaries are being redrawn, other policies such as those covering flood plains or protecting nature conservation sites will continue to restrict development in the villages.

Parish councils and the public will be fully consulted before the plan is revised and formally adopted in 2013.

More details of the proposal can be found in today's Andover Advertiser.