AN EYESORE which has been left abandoned for more than 20 years looks finally set to be given a new lease of life but with a twist in the tale.

Building work on the former Haydon Cars dealership, in Salisbury Road, is already well under way after the derelict former car showroom was demolished.

As reported by The Advertiser nearly two years ago, an application to knock down the unit and build a convenience store and two hot food outlets was approved.

Sainsbury’s expressed an interest in the site, which would have been its third Andover store.

Permission was granted, but another planning application has now been submitted for a Co-op store, plus a pet shop instead of the two food outlets.

A document submitted with the new plans states: “This development is now complete and the Co-op is expected to take occupation of the convenience store element very shortly.

“However, despite extensive marketing by commercial agents, there has been no commercial interest in the remaining two Class A5 units each of which extends to about 94sq m.”

The document added that interest had been shown by Pets Corner under its Pets Family brand.

The company, which already has a base at the Wyevale Garden Centre, in Salisbury Road, is looking to operate from a new standalone store in the town.

If approved, the proposal will also create the equivalent of six full-time jobs.

The letter added: “In terms of other considerations, it is noted that at the time of the approval of the existing development, local residents raised objection to the proposed A5 uses on amenity grounds.

“This proposed alternative use will operate more limited hours than the approved A5 use and it is anticipated that the site’s neighbours will see it as a positive change.”

The site has featured in The Advertiser in the past, prior to the initial planning application, after residents complained that the building had been “attracting drug addicts” and was “dragging the neighbourhood down”.

To view the application, go to testvalley.gov.uk/planning-andbuilding/viewplanningapplicationsonline and search using the reference 17/03077/FULLN.