A DISABLED resident from Charlton has hit out at the borough council after she was refused planning permission for a driveway to accommodate her adapted car - just months after receiving grant funding to secure it. 

In late 2020, Rachael Ardron - who suffers with arthritis in both her knees, hips, back and neck - told her occupational therapist that her mobility was deteriorating. 

The 49-year-old, who lives in Armstrong Rise, suggested that an allocated disabled driving space outside her house would be helpful, but the health professional raised concerns about her falling while on the road, and instead referred her for an adapted car solution. 

Rachael secured a grant of more than £20,000 from disability scheme Motability in late 2020, which allowed her to purchase the car in March 2021.

She applied to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) for a grant to construct a driveway outside her house, which was approved. However this was pending planning permission - something Rachael says she wasn’t aware of at the time.

“Some days are better than others, but I’m on a lot of medication so [this car] gives me a lot of independence. It’s my everything,” said Rachael, who works as a preschool teacher.

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

  • One of the world’s leading communications companies has announced it will be pausing its Digital Voice plans - after concerns were raised about the effect of the total switchover from analogue on certain groups.
  • An Andover man who beat cancer twice is challenging himself to take on the ABP Southampton half marathon for Southampton Hospitals Charity.
  • Health leaders have issued a fresh appeal to communities as figures reveal more than 8,500 people attended an Emergency Department (ED) in Hampshire and Isle of Wight in the last week alone.
  • Andover town centre will be buzzing with free family-friendly activities on Saturday, courtesy of Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Business Improvement District (BID).
  • Two Andover residents have been chosen as recipients of the Queen’s Maundy Money as part of this year’s Easter celebrations.
  • A sculpture made by a Thruxton artist following the Queen Mother’s final sitting has emerged for sale.
  • A collaboration between Test Valley Arts Foundation, Chapel Arts Studios and Andover BID has been awarded £9,408 from the Arts Council’s Let’s Create Jubilee Fund by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF).
  • Hampshire's largest rabbit rescue centre, Furlock Holmes Animal Care in Whitchurch, will appear on this Easter Sunday’s episode of Alan Titchmarsh’s ITV show, Love Your Weekend.
  • PLUS: Two pages of YOUR letters
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • Entertainment news
  • Sports news
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