TIDWORTH Town Council is on the move as work gets underway to build a civic centre.

In July last year the council was given planning permission for the building, which saw the authority’s ‘aspiration to provide a community building for all becoming a reality’.

Now, the council has announced that work is expected to start on the development in March, meaning it will move into temporary accommodation.

Chairman and mayor, Cllr Mark Connolly posted on Facebook: “Tidworth Town Council will move into temporary accommodation at Castledown Business Park from 1 March and will remain there until the new civic centre is completed. More details to follow on full address and contact number.

“The existing community centre building will be demolished over a three-week period from 14 March, during which time, the car park will be closed. The Clarendon schools will be informed. Parents are, therefore, asked to walk their children to and from school where possible to reduce issues in Wylye Road.

“The car park will also be closed throughout the build of the civic centre, which will be for approximately 14 months. Date of the commencement of the build is yet to be confirmed.”

The new civic centre, which replace the “ageing” centre in the heart of town, will combine facilities for the community and for the police, with the office of the police and crime commissioner in Wiltshire having pledged to cover a third of the costs.

The building will combine both a community centre for the town, which is planned to contain a main hall, community radio, council offices and meeting rooms alongside facilities for the area’s community policing teams.

The build could take around approximately 14 to 15 months with an expected completion date at the end of 2023.

Message from the editor 

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support. 

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Andover by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page. 

Kimberley Barber

Editor