ON 23 November, 2016, Test Valley produced a press release in respect of the proposed new Leisure Centre.

However, it did not state that the new facility would be one third smaller, with significantly reduced facilities.

On 23 December, 2016, the planning application (no.16/03191/FULLN) was published stating that the application may be inspected at all reasonable hours at Beech Hurst during 21 days from the date shown below.

Anyone who wished to make representations should write or email, representations to be received within 21 days of this notice. No notices were placed at the entrance to the existing Leisure Centre. Was this a deliberate move on the part of Test Valley Borough Council to minimise the opportunity for objections?

With many thanks to the ‘Andover Advertiser’, front page story on 13 January some users of the current Leisure Centre were able to make objections to the application by 20 January but not within 21 days of the publication of the planning application.

To date, I have been unable to find any notifications or consultation with users or user groups of the existing Leisure Centre.

Why is the council trying to push through the proposals for a new centre that does not meet the Authority’s obligations under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)?

The NPPF paragraph 70 states that local authorities, “should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where it would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs.”

Paragraph 74 states that, “development should not be permitted unless the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quality and quantity in a suitable location.”

Andover is expanding but the proposed new centre is one third smaller than the current one built in the 1970s and would have a significant reduction in facilities.

The 10 badminton courts reduced to eight, three studios to two, no ‘ladies only’ gym and two cafes to one, which would be in the reception area, plus no extra parking.

The current sports hall, cafeteria areas and parking areas are inadequate.

Test Valley Borough Council is failing to meet its statutory obligations in respect of the new leisure centre.

To date there have been no published proposals for interim arrangements for users of the sports hall and the swimming pool.

Councillors are elected to represent the views and needs of residents. I urge all Leisure Centre users to write to their ward councillor and to Councillor Tony Ward (Leisure portfolio holder) asking them to vote against application 16/03191/FULLN in its current form when it comes before the planning committee and require a better scheme to be put forward.

This is the only opportunity for councillors to ensure adequate provision is made for existing and future residents.

It is worth noting that according to the Office of National Statistics, in 1981 Test Valley had 92,000 residents and in 2016 it had 118,608.

Hampshire County Council projections show 133,779 by 2022 – much of this will be in Andover and environs.

The current Leisure Centre built in the 1970s is inadequate now, how can the council justify a net reduction in leisure facilities?

Ann Truss, Barley Road, East Anton