A QUESTION mark hangs over Andover's Chantry Centre expansion scheme because of the listed Ford Cottage.

Kailash Estates Limited submitted a planning application to Test Valley Borough Council for a mixed scheme, which would link directly into the existing Chantry Centre, last month.

Now they have confirmed that TK Max has agreed to be the sole retail outlet for the site - and Travelodge is to provide a 50-bed hotel.

Initially a partner of Damond Lock Grabowski and Partners - the London-based architects who designed the scheme - said the plan was to relocate Ford Cottage to a site near to St Mary's Church.

Mr Gareth Gerner said: "We have a very careful plan for how the building is going to be moved and we are currently writing a method statement."

Later, in a statement, he said: "Our proposal seeks to address the risks to the historic cottage from previous deterioration of the historic fabric through two decades of neglect, dereliction and exposure to the elements, and a future rising water table - when the building does not have the protection of a modern damp-proof course.

"Building on previous reports and proposals . . . we are in constructive discussions with the relevant local officials."

But at Andover Councillors' Forum last week Test Valley Borough Council planning officer Paul Jackson said the submitted planning application did not contain details of any relocation plans.

He said the council could not allow the cottage to be taken down and put into storage, and he confirmed this week the council would have 'grave concerns about that approach'.

And he added: "There's a question mark over exactly what they are going to do.

"As local authority we have to be satisfied the building will be preserved and we do have some doubts over that aspect of the application."

In response to these concerns Mr Gerner said: "It is still premature for us to make a public statement at the moment, as we are still awaiting the results of expert investigations regarding the best options for the future of the cottage, which will be part of our detailed method statement to the local authority."