CHANGES to the footprint of Andover’s new multi-million-pound leisure centre have been given the go-ahead after the government refused to get involved.

The secretary of state for housing, communities and local government has decided against calling-in an application 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 Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC).

A letter regarding the issue, sent to a concerned resident who highlighted the plan to the secretary of state, read: “The government remains committed to giving more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues and believe that planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.

“The secretary of state has decided, having had regard to this policy, not to call in this application. He is satisfied that the application should be determined at a local level.”

TVBC has now issued a formal decision notice to the leisure company approving the planning application.