Have your say on the future of Romsey
A new green shopping space on Broadwater Road, opening up access to the Fishlake stream and a new location for the Aldi supermarket are just some of the proposals being considered as part of the plans to redevelop the area south of Romsey’s town centre.
The first stage of the draft masterplan has now been published as the Romsey Future partnership, together with Test Valley Borough Council, today launch the second stage of the public consultation. The masterplan has been pulled together following feedback from the first consultation held in late 2018.
Residents, businesses and other interested parties can have their say on the proposals through an online survey or pop along to a number of events to be held over the next six weeks.
The masterplanners, Nexus and Perkins & Will are holding events at Romsey Town Hall and The Royal British Legion as well as attending the country market through a pop-up stall from today until March 20.
The draft plans form a number of short, medium and long-term proposals covering the potential future of the area for the next ten years. The short-term goals include enhancing the passageways and access to green spaces, while the medium-term plans consist of a new green area along Broadwater Road that could would make more of the River Test and potentially house new shops.
It would also improve the road layout and allow for more flexible transport options by forming a new bus station.
In the longer-term, the plans consider the possibility for a new site for the Aldi supermarket and the relocation of a new large community facility, similar to the current Crosfield Hall, closer to Romsey Rapids and a smaller venue within the town centre. This would help to meet the growing needs of the town as well as cater for the provision of car parking and enable residents to park just outside of the town and walk in, using improved pathways and access routes.
Along with the developments, a number of accessibility improvements have also been suggested. New access points to Broadwater Road from the bypass have been proposed, alongside better pedestrian access from the area towards Romsey Rapids.
The first draft of the masterplan for the area has also taken into account the recommendations of the citizens’ assembly which was held late last year. Around 50 residents, selected to represent the demographic makeup of the town, spent two weekends listening to experts and casting their votes on how best to maximise the area including the bus station and Crosfield Hall.
The main themes of the assembly included improving the night-time economy, creating more green spaces and better transport connections, both for vehicles and pedestrians.
Chair of Romsey Future and deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Nick Adams-King, said: “At the beginning of the first stage of this consultation, I was clear that all ideas were welcome as this was a completely blank slate. Now, although we’ve had a considerable amount of input from residents and members of the citizens’ assembly, we are still very keen to hear what the community thinks of the plans so far.
“There were many suggestions in the first stage of the consultation but hopefully it will be clear why these participants’ proposals have been taken forward and for those that haven’t been included in the draft, hopefully they can see the current plans and see why.
“With these proposed changes to the area, I understand that parking and accessibility will be extremely important, and these plans provide plenty of flexibility for improving both of those aspects moving forward. I would encourage anyone who would like to have their say to take this opportunity to do just that. Residents can get involved by going along to one of the events or by completing an online survey through the Romsey Future website.”
The consultation runs from February 7 until March 20 and residents can have their say at www.romseyfuture.org.uk/consultation.
Look out for the Masterplan Pop Up at the Country Market at Romsey Town Hall:
•Friday 28 February: 10am - 11.30am
•Friday 13 March: 10am - 11.30am
Meet the Masterplanners:
•Romsey Town Hall, Market Place, SO51 8YZ:
•Saturday 15 February: 12pm - 6pm
•British Legion, Shean House, Love Lane, SO51 8DE
:•Thursday 20 February: 4pm - 8pm
•Wednesday 11 March: 10am - 4pm