TEST Valley Borough Council have completed the purchase of the former Andover Magistrates' Court from the Ministry of Justice.

The deal, which has been made in collaboration with Hampshire County Council, has been in negotiations since last year but was finally completed on Friday 3 July.

Options for usage of the building will now be discussed between the two authorities although the Andover Advertiser understands it could be used as either office space or for a future learning facility.

In the meantime the Council will be submitting a planning application to use the car parking area around the Magistrates’ Court for additional town centre pay and display parking.

This will be particularly valuable to customers of Andover Leisure Centre.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Ian Carr, said: “I am delighted that we are now in a position to announce the purchase of the Magistrates’ Court.

"We have been working closely with Hampshire County Council for a long time to acquire the site.

"This is another important addition to the Council’s property portfolio, which now gives the Council a strategic freehold site stretching from Western Avenue and West Street to Marlborough Street and Chantry Street.

"I look forward to moving forward with the site development.”

The Andover Advertiser has asked Test Valley Borough Council how much was spent on the building but as of yet no response has been issued.

It is understood that the Council negotiated a deal below the estimated property value.