A ROMSEY conservation group has weighed in to the debate over the south of town centre plans, including the future of Crosfield Hall.
The Romsey and District Society, founded in 1974, gave its thoughts on the proposals, which could be launched next year.
A meeting of the Romsey Forum in September heard that plans are moving forward to move the Crosfield Hall to the Rapids site, have new car parks and new flats.
The scheme is focussed around the area south of the town centre including the bus station and Aldi.
Moving the Crosfield Hall has proved controversial, with Romsey Advertiser letter writers urging planners to look at alternative solutions.
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A statement from the Romsey and District Society said: “We are aware that there is a range of opinions relating to the proposals for the south of Romsey town centre and the replacement of the Crosfield Hall.
"The society would like to see more detailed information on what is being proposed, work on which we understand is currently ongoing, and will consider these proposals as they come forward. The society exists to conserve our heritage and protect our future for the people of Romsey and the surrounding district and we will take all views into account.”
Speaking at the Romsey Forum meeting, Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “There will be a new Crosfield Hall built at the Rapids site. The Crosfield Hall will become a two-tiered car park as a temporary measure.
“The next phase will be that Aldi will move across and build a new store on the Crosfield Hall site. The Aldi car park will become a tiered car park with an outer edge of flats and shops. The former Aldi unit will see the shop front back onto The Hundred and community use of the car park side.
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“The point we are at is completing the viability assessment and costing for what that new building layout will look like. That is linked to what will happen to Crosfield Hall.
“What we are doing at the moment is talking to the users of the Crosfield Hall once more and also other organisations in town to understand what they would want from a new Crosfield Hall.
“We are in the process of putting this all together. We are looking at different ways we can fund it. Once that is agreed a formal proposal will go through the council to and we will go through the process of choosing someone to do the work.”
On the Romsey and District Society's website, it said: “The society was founded in 1974 following a huge public protest about the destruction of fine old houses in Romsey to make way for new. It focuses on local planning, environment and countryside issues.
"The aim of the society is to promote high standards of planning and architecture in the area, and to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historical or public interest in the area.”
For more details about the proposals, visit romseyfuture.org.uk/the-masterplan.
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