Andover News
The latest Andover news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
Casbrook Tip Near Romsey Shuts 12 October to 12 November
Casbrook recycling centre at Timsbury, near Romsey, closes from 12 October for a month of resurfacing. Eastleigh and Winchester are the nearest open sites.
More stories
Andover
Ziver Organiques Opens First Shop in Chantry Centre, Andover
Andover skincare maker Ziver Organiques has moved from market stalls to its first permanent shop, in the Chantry Centre, with coffee and £39 perfume workshops.
Romsey
Romsey Whitenap: 920 Homes Backed, Only 10% Affordable
Councillors backed up to 920 homes at Whitenap, south of Romsey, with 92 affordable where policy asks for up to 368. What the deal pays for, and what is next.
Andover
Andover Radio's Licence Company Goes Into Liquidation
The company holding Andover Radio's 95.9FM licence went into liquidation on 15 September. The licence runs to 2028 and can only move with Ofcom's consent.
Romsey
Romsey Bus Station Plan: £2.3m Design Team Sought by 21 Oct
Test Valley wants a £2.3m design team for the Romsey bus station and Crosfield Hall scheme by 21 October. It starts ten months later than first planned.
Andover Museum
Andover Museum Open to 2029 After £150,000 Approved
Test Valley agreed £100,000 on 23 September after the town council's £50,000, so Andover Museum and the Iron Age museum stay open until at least March 2029.
Planning
Andover Riverside Park: 206m of Western Avenue to Close
The Transport Secretary has approved closing 206 metres of Western Avenue for the riverside park. Andover Town Council was among the objectors at the inquiry.
Crime
Andover Anti-Social Behaviour Calls Down 40% in July
Police say ASB calls in Andover fell 40% year on year in July, and 17.1% across Test Valley from May to August. Our check of the open data finds May went up.
Thruxton
Hampshire Air Festival Cancelled: How to Claim a Refund
Called off the night before, with the organiser taking insolvency advice. Ticket holders are sent to their card providers. Here is what the rules allow.
Jobs
Test Valley Claimants August 2026: Under-25s at 2021 High
320 people aged 18 to 24 were claiming in August, the most since 2021 and up 25.5% in a year. No Hampshire district rose faster, and the total barely moved.
Planning
Andover planning: councillor call-in ends on 31 October
From 31 October no Andover councillor can call a planning application to committee. Two of the three on Thursday's agenda would become officer decisions.
Council
Test Valley council merger withdrawn: May 2027 vote back on
Test Valley Borough Council is no longer being abolished in 2028. The government withdrew Hampshire's merger on 7 September, so May 2027 is a borough poll.
Planning
Vigo Park Splash Pad Approved: Andover Work Starts 2026
Councillors approved the Vigo Park splash pad, pavilion and public toilets on 17 September. Work is due to start this year and to open in autumn 2027.
Business
Andover shop front grant: up to £10,000, deadline March 2027
Globe Galleries has £1,782 to fix its roof. The same Andover fund pays up to £10,000, or £12,500 on a listed building, if the work is finished by 15 March 2027.
House prices
Test Valley house prices flat as Winchester rises 4.6%
The average Test Valley home cost £372,348 in June, £732 less than a year earlier. Winchester rose 4.6% and England 1.8%. Detached homes did the pulling back.
Licensing
Air Festival Licence Granted: No Fireworks at Thruxton
Councillors granted the Thruxton air festival its licence with 30 conditions, a 14,999 cap and no airborne fireworks this year. The show runs 12-13 September.
Andover Museum
Andover Museum: £150,000 Council Rescue Plan, 2 Votes
Test Valley would put in £100,000 and the town council £50,000 to keep Andover Museum and the Museum of the Iron Age open to March 2029. Both vote this month.
Andover town centre
Andover Council Selling Town Mills Open Space to Brewery
Test Valley wants to sell 566.8 sq m of public open space at Town Mills to the pub's brewery. Objections close on Friday, and the plan is not published online.
Andover town centre
Slots Arcade Bid for Andover High Street: Have Your Say
MERKUR wants an adult gaming centre licence at 38-40 High Street. It would be the first in a Test Valley town centre, and representations close on 8 September.
Licensing
Hampshire Air Festival: 26 Object, Licence Ruled On 26 Aug
Councillors decide the Thruxton air festival's drink and music licence on Wednesday, after 26 residents objected. The ground firework finale is already off.
Council
Test Valley Council's 2028 Abolition: Plan Now Withdrawn
The plan to abolish Test Valley Borough Council in 2028 was withdrawn on 7 September. What it would have done, and why May 2027 is now a borough election.
Jobs
Test Valley Under-25 Claimants Rise Fastest in Hampshire
310 people aged 18 to 24 were claiming in Test Valley in July, up 21.6% in a year: the steepest rise of any Hampshire district. The borough total barely moved.
Business
Andover Independent Retailer Grant: £1,200 for Empty Units
The Kitten's Emporium in George's Yard has the council's Independent Retailer Grant. Who qualifies, the 8-week deadline and how the two £600 halves are paid.
Environment
Woodington Farm, Wellow: 44 hectares to open as green space
Test Valley has £2.7m of government money to buy 44.5 hectares at Woodington Farm on the River Blackwater. Around 34 hectares open to walkers; a car park application is due this summer.
Planning
Andover riverside park: design done, build due late 2026
Detailed design of the Western Avenue riverside park is finished and the council approved two changes to its own permission on 13 August. Build due late 2026.
Business
Chilbolton village shop wins £21,700 to grow food business
Chilbolton Village Shop and Tearoom has £21,700 of grants for a reconfigured shop and a second kitchen. The fund behind it still holds £100,000 for 2026/27.