THE news that the council has lost out on funding to help move forward the regeneration plan is a "bitter disappointment", the leader of the council has said.

As previously reported Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) is continuing its regeneration plans for Andover town centre, despite getting news that it would not receive a share of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) to accelerate the delivery of parts of the council's masterplan.

The authority submitted a bid for £20.3m last summer to help accelerate the redevelopment of the town, extending Riverside Park along Western Avenue, transforming the riverside footpath south of Bridge Street, creating a new theatre for The Lights and cultural hub in the heart of town centre and demolishing the former magistrates’ court building in preparation for the wellbeing quarter.

READ MORE: Andover town regeneration: Plans to move forward

But despite the blow, TVBC is already busy progressing with its original plan, which was in motion before it applied for the funding, and will still enable the council to move forward with the next part of the scheme following the recent works to Town Mills. The authority expects to take the proposal to a council meeting in February.

The leader of the council, Cllr Phil North has taken to Facebook to share his feelings on the matter.

He said: "In fact, although it was always going to be a long shot I’m bitterly disappointed that Test Valley Borough Council wasn’t successful in our Levelling Up Fund bid - announced today - to accelerate the regeneration of Andover Town Centre.

"Despite the blow, please be assured that we are still determined to deliver the Masterplan in its entirety. While waiting to hear the outcome of the bid, we have been continuing with Plan A - and it’s my intention to bring a report to February’s Full Council meeting setting out details of the next stage.

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"The government has also indicated that there will be a third round of Levelling Up funding, which we will certainly pursue if that does come to fruition. This, alongside the recent news that we have secured £1m from the Shared Prosperity Fund means that we have lots to be positive about.

"Particularly as the majority of that fund is for an extension to the skills centre at Andover College and to expand the Andover Health Hub. Both key town centre projects. As I say, I will provide more details very soon."