ROMSEY could be getting a significant cash injection on the back of major government funding for Andover.
Test Valley Borough Council was recently awarded £18.3m in funding, which must be spent by March 2026.
The cash injection has come from round three of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF). A new venue will replace The Lights with a larger theatre and space for cultural and creative activities.
The funding allocated to Andover means the council can accelerate the masterplan to transform the town centre.
Any money the council previously allocated to the work in Andover could now be directed to Romsey.
This could mean additional funding for the major South of Town Centre scheme, including the controversial redevelopment of Crosfield Hall. It's currently unclear how much money Romsey could get, but a proposal will be put before the full council in the new year.
READ MORE: Romsey Future: Major plans discussed for new Crosfield Hall
Cllr Nick Adams-King, deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council. said: “The Levelling Up grant from the government is fantastic news for Test Valley. The grant is entirely for the creation of the cultural quarter and new theatre in Andover, so there is no direct funding for Romsey.
"However, in helping fund regeneration in Andover, it offers options for the council in terms of where our own funding is directed and of course Romsey is very much part of that consideration. That work is ongoing and proposals will be presented to councillors for consideration early in the New Year.”
Scores of Advertiser readers have been writing letters over the last few months opposing the proposals.
A meeting of the Romsey Forum in September heard that plans are moving forward to move the Crosfield Hall to the Rapids site, and new car parks and new flats.
The scheme is focussed around the area south of the town centre including the bus station and Aldi.
The relocation of Crosfield Hall has proved to be very controversial. Cllr Adams-King previously said that the current Crosfield Hall will not be demolished until the new one at the Rapids site is built.
For Andover, money will also be used for the development of the Western Avenue Riverside Walk, to which £6.5m of council funds were allocated earlier this year, which included £1m in developer contributions from Hampshire County Council.
Test Valley Borough Council leader Cllr Phil North was unable to give an exact date for the development to start and said work is still being done to finalise ideas before planning applications are submitted.
For more details about the proposals in Romsey, visit romseyfuture.org.uk/the-masterplan.
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