RADICAL plans to dramatically transform Andover and return the town to its glory days have been revealed.

A bold vision, put forward by Test Valley Borough Council, would see a brand-new theatre built as well as demlolishing Vigo Park roundabout and underpass to make way for more green space.

It comes after a survey carried out by the authority found that out of 2,587 residents polled, just 11 people wanted the town to stay as it was.

“It is clear that respondents feel that Andover, with its rich history, is feeling unloved. It is positive that residents overwhelmingly support change,” the report revealed.

When asked what words described Andover, unloved, homelessness, dates and empty shops were among the most common used.

A staggering 97 per cent of those asked said the town could be better, with no respondents believing it was fine as it is.

The council’s proposals for the town were presented to 90 residents at St Mary’s Church on Wednesday night.

Proposals set out a vision for the town which would see the development of a brand new theatre, removing a roundabout to make way for a public park and its own ‘well-being’ quarter.

The plans include:

n Extending Vigo Park and removing the roundabout

n Building a brand-new theatre

n Improving the Chantry Centre with more independent shops

n Creating a 'wellness quarter' with a gym, outdoor space and places to relax

Proposals also include relocating The Lights theatre, creating more spaces for events, revitalising Andover’s historic core by providing better links between the Guildhall, church, the Iron Age museum and Town Mills and removing sections of the ring road to help facilitate better access to the River Anton and Vigo Park.

The plans would also see the creation of a ‘wellbeing quarter’ for play, exercise and relaxation, incorporating upgraded facilities for Andover College and providing a potential location for new ‘green’ offices for Simplyhealth near the leisure centre. This has evolved from what was previously referred to as the ‘cultural quarter’ due to the suggestion to relocate The Lights.

And as well as creating more public open space, undertaking major improvements to town centre landscaping and breathing new life into the lanes off the High Street, the designers have also recommended making more of a feature of the river. Removing part of the gyratory will allow for better access to the river and more green space which could be fronted by high quality cafes and restaurants with people living at upper floors.

Lora White from NEW masterplanning, said: “There was a great energy in St Mary’s on Wednesday evening. People really responded strongly to the proposals noting they were both ambitious but also logical. The team are excited to take on the feedback we received and to start improving the plans to make them even stronger for the next time we present them.”

Wayne Hemingway, HemingwayDesign, added: “There can be no doubt that Andover, like all towns has to respond to the public led changes that town centres are going through. Our shopping and leisure habits are changing at a pace not witnessed in generations. The great things is that Andover’s population is up for change and is contributing ideas and thoughts and robust critique of this team’s ideas and this input is much appreciated and is helping to further shape our ideas.”

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North urged residents to let their voices be heard. He said: “It was a really great moment in the life of the project to see so many passionate people come together in such a stunning setting to talk about the future of the town. Everyone seemed incredibly excited and positive and it was fantastic to see these hugely ambitious but also perfectly logical plans that could totally transform the town as we know it.

“We had previously identified the importance of enhancing the area around the leisure centre, and with the proposal to relocate The Lights it makes absolute sense to create a new wellbeing focus.”I would appeal to everyone to please share the plans and survey far and wide to ensure that as many people as possible are able to input their views.

“This is our once in a generation opportunity to truly shape the town together.”

The proposals are available to view at www.thinkandovertowncentre.co.uk and residents, businesses and other interested parties are all being encouraged to fill out the accompanying survey before it closes on January 10 to share their views.