An old market town wrapped in newer estates
Andover's historic centre, based around the old market square and the parish church, is surrounded by large areas of later housing built as the town expanded outward through planned residential estates. Garden sizes and layouts vary considerably between the older streets near the centre and these newer estates.
Test Valley Borough Council's own planning team
Applications and permitted development questions for an Andover property are decided by Test Valley's planning team, the same body that looks after Romsey and the villages around Stockbridge, working to its own local plan separate from Winchester's.
The River Anton and surrounding countryside
The River Anton runs through the town before joining the River Test to the south, and the chalk downland around Andover is fairly typical of this part of Hampshire, with some properties on the edge of town backing onto open farmland.
Frequently asked questions
Is Andover covered by the same council as Winchester?+
No, Andover sits within the Test Valley district, so Test Valley Borough Council handles planning matters rather than Winchester City Council.
Does it matter which part of Andover I live in?+
Yes, to some extent. Properties on the older estates nearer the centre can have smaller gardens than those on the edge of town, which is worth mentioning when you enquire.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Winchester City Council – Do I need planning permission — Winchester City Council's guidance on when planning permission is required for householder projects, including outbuildings.
- Winchester City Council – Check if you are within the South Downs National Park — A tool to check whether a specific address falls within the South Downs National Park boundary, which changes the relevant planning authority.
- Winchester City Council – Building control — Winchester City Council's building control service, relevant to groundwork and services for larger garden buildings.
- Planning Portal – Outbuildings — National guidance on permitted development rules for garden buildings and outbuildings, including height and coverage limits.
- South Downs National Park Authority – Planning applications — The planning authority for addresses that fall within the South Downs National Park boundary, including parts of the villages east of Winchester.
- Test Valley Borough Council – Planning permission and pre-application advice — The relevant planning authority for Stockbridge, which sits within the Test Valley district rather than Winchester.