A PLANNING application to build 102 new houses and a retail convenience store in Andover has been approved by the Test Valley Borough Council.

Taylor Wimpey will build the houses and store along with a sub-station on land west of Finkley Farm Road in East Anton.

A decision on the proposal was initially deferred by the council in March this year after the council found plenty of “holes” in the application.

The developer then came back with an amended application with an additional plan showing cycling improvements.

READ MORE: Council defers decision on Taylor Wimpey development at Augusta Park

A development control committee of the council unanimously voted in favour of giving permission for the plans.

Commenting on the proposal, Cllr Carl Borg-Neal said: “Although I personally would love to see the land remain as an open space, unfortunately, there's no reason for us to refuse this. If we do, there will potentially be an appeal which we might not win and there will be other costs. So I think we have no choice other than to accept this application.”

Test Valley mayor and committee member Cllr Philip Lashbrook said: “I feel that the applicant could have built a surgery on the site and offered it to the NHS. After all we've got 7,808 patients oversubscribed in Andover.

“I still believe it's a travesty that we are in this mess and I hope that we can invest it in the future.”

The new houses are expected to bring in 23 additional primary-age children.

The developer has been told to make a contribution of £523,072 towards the planned expansion of Winton Academy, which is currently at full capacity.

The meeting heard that Endeavour Primary School, which is also in the new development’s catchment area, has capacity and would be able to accommodate the additional children.

Taylor Wimpey will also contribute £62,720 to NHS England, which will be ring-fenced for a future expansion project relating to Andover Primary Care Network’s (PCN) practices.

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The two GP surgeries that serve this development are Charlton Hill Surgery and Shepherds Spring Medical Centre.

The meeting was told that these surgeries are oversubscribed by some 7,808 patients as of April 2023. They are undersized for the increased population and will not be able to absorb the patients from the new development.

Commenting on the proposal, Cllr Luigi Gregori said: “I've got an issue with the roads [at this development]. It is my concern that it's not good enough to be taken over by the Hampshire County Council. So effectively we as public servants are taking on the liability. I am not convinced by having management companies. If you look at what's happened at other developments in our borough, the responsibilities end up and down with the residents.”