MAJOR plans to rejuvenate Andover town centre have taken a vital step forward as the council has appointed a key partner.

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has selected Hemingway Design and New Masterplanning to lead the masterplan project to transform the town centre.

The two organisations saw off competition from 29 other consultancies to land the contract. 

Councillor Phil North, leader of TVBC, said: “I am really excited that we have secured two of the leading design consultancies in the country to deliver the masterplan for Andover.

“I have said for some time now that this is truly a once in a generation opportunity for the town and I do not use those words lightly. 

“This will completely change the face of the town centre.

“But it is important to highlight that while we have appointed national experts to undertake the masterplanning process, it is the people of Andover who will have a major say in the future of their town.”

The proposal involves the mooted Cultural Quarter around the former magistrates court and the newly TVBC-acquired Chantry Centre.

Cllr North added: “Though it was a bold move to purchase the Chantry Centre, this decision has paved the way for us to redevelop the town on a scale that would not otherwise have been possible. Hemingway Design and New Masterplanning recognised this and were keen to get on board as a result.

“I cannot emphasise enough the significance of the project we are set to undertake - as we bring together plans to completely redevelop the Chantry Centre and deliver the Cultural Quarter - and I am thrilled to be setting off on this journey with two such high-profile companies that genuinely recognise the potential that our town has to offer.”

As part of plans to transform the town centre the borough council has teamed up with Andover College and Simplyhealth, with both organisations looking to redevelop their sites.

Wayne Hemingway, of Hemingway Design, said: “We come to this project with a strong feeling that the seismic changes in Britain’s town centres create enormous possibilities for fresh thinking and these are times of real opportunity. 

“We are thoroughly looking forward to working with Andover’s residents, businesses and the public sector to start the town’s march towards a vibrant future-facing town centre.”

The masterplan process will take around 12 months to complete and will involve consultation with the public to decide what the future of Andover will look like. 

Once the masterplan is in place, the council is likely to appoint a commercial developer partner to start delivering changes.