THE need to upskill Andover’s workforce in future years so that it can compete in the global economy has been backed by one of Andover’s leading manufacturers, says Andover College’s principal.

Jon Stannah, of Stannah Group, has written to Test Valley Borough councillors urging them to take this into account as they prepare the draft of the borough’s Local Plan for adoption.

One of the contentious issues is the desire for Andover College to boost its capital receipts through the development of a site south of the A303 at Littlebridge, enabling it to obtain significant additional funding for education from central Government via the Local Enterprise Partnership M3 initiative.

While Mr Stannah’s letter has been sent directly to councillors, college principal Tim Jackson has managed to have a look at it.

Mr Jackson said: “I know that Jon Stannah is very supportive of the proposal to include land at Littlebridge and believes this to be the right location for new homes and, as the only development site offering a significant investment in the town’s |education and skills, stands well ahead of any other proposal.”