Two weeks left to help decide future of town
Time is running out to have your say on the future of Romsey as the second stage of the public consultation for the area south of the town’s centre is set to come to a close.
On February 7, The Romsey Future Partnership, together with Test Valley Borough Council, published draft options to redevelop the area south of Romsey’s town centre.
The proposals included a new green shopping space along Broadwater Road, a new location for the Aldi supermarket and opening up access to the Fishlake stream, as well as a revised route for buses coming into the town.
Now, there are just two weeks left to have your say on the proposals, with the consultation coming to an end on March 20. The plans are on display at the Former Magistrates’ Court on Church Street, or you can have your say online at romseyfuture.org.uk/consultation.
Two more events are also set to take place where residents can speak to masterplanners Nexus Planning and Perkins & Will Architects, before the consultation finishes.
The last of the exhibitions will take place on March 11, where they will be at The Royal British Legion on Love Lane from 10am until 4pm, and Perkins & Will Architects will be attending a pop-up stall at the country market at Romsey Town Hall on March 13, from 10am until 11.30am.
The draft plans form a number of short, medium and long-term proposals for the area for the next ten years. In the short-term, green spaces and passageways into the town would be enhanced, while the medium-term goals consist of a new green area along Broadwater Road that would make more of the town’s waterways. It could also house new shops and other facilities as well as providing a new location for buses to travel through.
In the longer-term, the aspiration is to identify a new site for the Aldi supermarket. The proposals are also considering whether to put in place a new large community facility, similar to the current Crosfield Hall, closer to Romsey Rapids, with a smaller additional venue within the town centre.
The first draft of the masterplan has also taken into account the recommendations of the citizens’ assembly which was held late last year, where 50 residents came together to listen to experts before voting on how best to redevelop of the area.
Chair of Romsey Future, councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “These are only draft proposals at this stage, but nonetheless this is a big project that could have a significant positive impact on our town, so I would urge anyone who hasn’t already done so, to get involved.
“The masterplanners will be available next week to speak to, or you can see the plans in more detail on the Romsey Future website. This is our future, so please do make sure you play your part in it.”
Visit romseyfuture.org.uk/consultation to find out more and complete the survey.