A BREWING company has submitted plans to turn part of a farm in East Cholderton into a microbrewery and tasting room, sparking criticism from village residents.

Breach Farm Brewing Ltd. has lodged a planning application with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), requesting to change use of a “redundant” annex to “light industrial use” for the purpose of the new business. 

The application submitted states that the owner is refurbishing the annex as a matter of “routine maintenance” which the company claims is unrelated to the proposed use.

The company was granted a premises license in October, which allows it to produce and sell alcohol on the site. 

TVBC received 29 letters in support of the licensing application, as well as 36 against. 

Chris Davies, who lives at neighbouring Haydown Lodge, is one of the residents who spoke out in opposition of the license being granted last year.

The 57-year-old is now determined to make his voice heard ahead of any decision being made on change of use. 

Chris feels the plans are “fundamentally going to change the character of the place”, but the brewery owners insist it’s “small scale”.

You can read the full story and reaction in this week's paper. Also in this week's edition:

  • An Andover mum who was depressed following the death of her child, died after taking an overdose at her home, and inquest heard. 
  • A brand new bakery business has opened up in Andover town centre.
  • A planning application to build a block of 18 flats on land proposed for community use in Picket Twenty has been thrown out by the Test Valley Borough Council.
  • Andover’s MP has denied any knowledge of a ‘bring your own booze’ garden party allegedly held in Downing Street during England’s first lockdown in May 2020.  
  • An Andover parent is calling on the council to enforce parking rules outside a primary school due to vehicles regularly stopped dangerously or on double yellow lines leading to a ‘nightmare’ situation.
  • The family of an Andover man who may have been strangled to death at a mental health hospital in Basingstoke has paid tribute to him. 
  • AN Andover-based removals company has marked several important milestones in the last few weeks.
  • A convenience store in Ludgershall has been raided by a gang of four, and a large quantify of cigarettes were stolen.
  • PLUS: Two pages of YOUR letters
  • PICTURES: Hospitals trust pays tribute to staff as it marks 10th anniversary
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • Entertainment news
  • Sports news
  • And much, much more
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