COUNCILLORS have given their backing for changes to the footprint of Andover’s new multi-million-pound leisure centre – despite earlier questions.

Members of Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) northern area planning committee voted unanimously on January 3 to “retain minor changes” of the setting of the new building.

The application was lodged by leisure provider Places for People after the facility was constructed in a different way to what was approved under planning consent by TVBC.

Within the application, it states the centre has been constructed to take up more of a footprint in some areas, and less in others.

But the plan has been brought to the attention of the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government by a concerned resident who deemed that the matter is “of regional importance and appear to have been so far mishandled by TVBC”.

TVBC leader Councillor Phil North said he had no concerns about the government’s involvement.

Cllr North added: “I don’t think we should be worried, we are going to get a brand-new leisure centre open in spring this year.”

As previously reported in the Advertiser the council knew about the amended positions on October 23, 2017, but the changes were deemed to be minor and acceptable in planning terms, and an application was not lodged until October 25 this year.

But at the committee meeting this was not raised by councillors or the authority’s planning team.

TVBC is unable to issue a decision the secretary of state must decide whether the application should be looked at.