ANDOVER residents will be encouraged to have their say on major plans to improve a park in the town during a consultation in the new year.

Test Valley Borough Council announced in October last year that talks had begun to improve Vigo Park, with proposals for a new water splash pad to be installed.

More than a year on since a management plan was approved by the authority’s cabinet, the scheme has not progressed.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in October 2022, council leader Phil North said that there is an “ambition to have a recreational play area that will be designed and set up by 2023”, but the Advertiser now been told that work is expected to begin in autumn 2024.

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The council has said that in-person consultation events will take place in January and February, as well as an online survey.

A council spokesperson said: “The council will be running in-person consultation events throughout January and February, as well as promoting an online survey, offering the community the opportunity to help shape the design for an updated play area at Vigo Recreation Ground.

“The outcome of this consultation will help us develop a design brief, which will be used to appoint a contractor to deliver the works. Further opportunities will be available during the spring to help develop the final design before work is expected to commence on site in the autumn 2024.”

The scheme was mooted following a series of workshops with Andover schools and groups, along with a number of events and markets attended.

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This feedback helped Andover Vision develop a picture of the community’s thoughts and aspirations for the popular green space in St Mary’s ward.

In December last year the council approved £350,000 worth of funding for the major plans, which at the time it said it hoped the site will be open to the public in the spring of 2024.

The current facilities at the ground include a bowling green with an accessible rink, bowls club house, children’s play area, two tennis courts, performance space with pop-up power, mature landscaping and trees, and numerous benches around the perimeter.