A NEW bus station, a ‘green’ shopping space, and a fresh location for the Aldi supermarket.

These are just a handful of proposals tabled by council chiefs which could spark one of the biggest town centre revamps in Romsey’s history.

Revealed today, the plans focus on the southern half of the market town, meaning both Crosfield Hall and the current bus station would need to be bulldozed for the project to become a reality.

However, the plans will first need to be scrutinised by the public as part of a consultation before any scheme is given the go-ahead by borough and county council chiefs.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The scheme has been revealed as part of the first stage of a draft masterplan released by the Romsey Future partnership.

Documents detail 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 medium-term plans consist of a new green area along Broadwater Road.

It would also improve the road layout and allow for the creation a new bus station based on Broadwater Road.

In the longer-term, the plans suggest relocating the Aldi supermarket – possibly in a new building on the current Crosfield Hall site.

As well as this a replacement for the community facility would be built, closer to Romsey Rapids, and a smaller venue would be created within the town centre.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The plans also suggest that new access points to Broadwater Road from the bypass have been proposed, alongside better pedestrian access from the area towards Romsey Rapids.

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. 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.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

The council has also confirmed that the masterplan for the area has 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.

Now locals are being sought for their views on the new documents as part of a consultation which starts today and runs until March 20.

During that same period, 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 to speak to locals.

For more information and to have your say, visit: www.romseyfuture.org.uk/consultation