Homes approved in Andover despite objections
Concerns were expressed over traffic and safety
Approval has been granted for the construction of 25 dwellings in Andover.
Following Fowler Architecture & Planning’s application to build 25 new homes on the land north of Walworth Road, Test Valley Borough Council has approved the application in a recent meeting (June 17).
The application site is located to the rear of existing homes along Walworth Road and extends up to the railway line to the north.
The proposal involves constructing 25 dwellings, comprising a mix of detached and semi-detached houses, with some units featuring garages. Additionally, there will be a block of flats, along with associated car parking and public open space.
Objections
Andover Town Council submitted an objection to the proposal regarding the increase in traffic and speed following the construction.
They highlighted the concerns over the lack of provision for pavements and the overdevelopment of the site.
Seventeen letters were also received objecting to the plans.
Among them is Lucy Robinson, who said she walks every morning on an already very busy road with “horrendous” traffic on some days.
“The pavements are super narrow in places already, and it never feels very safe walking along with the amount of traffic already”, she said.
Marriage Richard and Lorraine Daubney said that the new proposed access for the development is opposite a bus stop where children catch school during rush hours, which “practically take their life into their hands when crossing due to the volume of traffic and the speed.”
They emphasized that this situation in which children “practically take their life into their hands when crossing safety” put them at risk, as crossing the road during peak traffic can be extremely dangerous due to the high volume of vehicles and their speed.
They added: “There will be more vehicles, plus business vehicles such as Evri, Amazon, DPD and home shopping deliveries. Whitethorn Road on Hawthorn Rise is currently a dead end, but if access is given to traffic, it will be used as a rat run, putting children’s lives at risk, as they happily play at present with no fear of vehicles.”
At the planning committee, councillor Nick Lodge said feeling “unhappy” for the decision being delegated to officers when “it could have been brought here for us to look at it in more detail.”
Five council members voted in favour of the application and four against.
Therefore, the application was granted permission.