THE RIBBON was cut at a multi-million pound estate in Andover this week opening up 45 new and much-needed homes.

Test Valley mayor Cllr Dorothy Baverstock and Councillor Sandra Hawke, Test Valley Borough Council portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, were joined by little Billy Ewington from Balksbury Infant School to officially open Flitches Grove.

The seven-year-old was asked to open it after coming up with a name for the development, built by Radian.

The new community on Mylen Road has been developed, with the contractor Drew Smith Group, on the former Jewson’s timber yard site and offers a mixture of homes.

Board member Peter Coleman said a few words before the £5.7m estate was officially opened.

“It is great that we have got the opportunity to bring affordable housing to Andover. I want to particularly mention the community.

With any development there is noise and big vehicles moving around and we really appreciate their understanding,” he said.

“Housing is not just about building houses. They’re the sort of homes that any of us would like to live in,” said Cllr Hawke.

Radian invited Balksbury Infant School to host a competition to name the £5.7 million development.

Billy’s winning entry refers to the former use of the site, as a ‘flitch’ is a large rectangular block of wood.

Junction Road is another Radian development due to open at the end of March.