PLANS for a cultural quarter ‘continue to progress’ despite any announcement on developments being five months overdue.

Test Valley Borough Council held a number of days inviting developers to showcase their designs and commercial plans for the former magistrates court site and surrounding area in February and March this year.

An estimated date for a contract notice was initially set for June 1 to follow on from the developer days, but this publication is yet to be seen.

The borough council told the Advertiser due to the number of partners involved the legal arrangements are ‘complex’.

Back in January it was revealed Andover College and Simplyhealth had asked to be included in the project looking to revamp the town centre area and, in December 2017, the council said 12 developers had already expressed interest in the opportunity.

The cultural quarter is said to potentially include a new theatre, eateries with outdoor seating overlooking a plaza area and community and leisure facilities to add to Andover’s new leisure centre.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “Investing in, rejuvenating and improving our town centres is my number one priority, and the cultural quarter is an important part of the jigsaw for Andover town centre.

“The area comprises land and buildings owned by a number of different partners, so the legal arrangements and approvals that need to be in place to progress to the next stage are complex.

“It is therefore vital to ensure that this is done properly, even if it takes longer than initially anticipated.

“We continue to make progress and together with our partners, we are determinedly working through these complexities to seize this exciting opportunity to deliver a cultural quarter and prosperous future for Andover.

“It is a huge opportunity for the town and one the council remains dedicated to ensuring is carried out in the best possible way.

“With our adjacent new leisure centre now visible for all to see, this will be a transformational project for this area of the town.”

The magistrates court closed in 2010 as part of national judicial reform.