Romsey residents question impact of demolishing Crosfield Hall

Plans to move the hall in Broadwater Road to the site of Romsey Rapids in Southampton Road are moving forward, with an application for the first phase of development in the pipeline to be submitted as soon as the end of the year.

The hall would be demolished to make room for a larger Aldi car park under the South of Town Centre Master Plan (SOTCMP).

However, hall users have blasted the proposal for being “detrimental”, with many believing the move would be “a great loss” for locals.

This month, Hilary Philbin and Keith Lawrenson launched a petition to pressure council leaders to change the plans for revamping the town centre.

Hilary and Keith (Image: Contributed)

READ MORE: Crosfield Hall: Petition launched to save hall from demolition

Peter Making, 84, of Brook Way, Romsey, is a member of Romsey Model Railway which has been hosting its annual exhibitions at Crosfield Hall ever since he can remember.

After hearing of the petition, Mr Making said: “It (the plan) would be detrimental really. We get a lot of people coming into town to do their shopping and the hall is just across the road.

“A couple of months ago the council said nothing could be done but a petition has started. It seems a shame to tear it down and replace it with a car park.

“We have just booked the hall for next year and there was a 50 per cent increase in the price. A lot of people won’t be able to afford the hire charges.”

Peter Making (Image: Adele Bouchard)

Margaret Deblin, 80, of Dutton Road, Romsey, said: “Crosfield Hall has always been the place for all the vaccinations. Most of the people in Romsey are old and I don’t know if it will be possible for them to go that bit further to the Rapids.

“There is no need to get rid of it. Everything we need is nearby.”

Margaret Deblin (Image: Adele Bouchard)

SEE ALSO: Concerns raised about Crosfield Hall moving to Rapids

Stephen Cook, 66, retired, from Eastleigh, said: “I come to Romsey all the time and we park at Crosfield Hall. A lot of people rely on that hall, they wouldn’t be making the right decision to knock it down. There is no point in moving it and what about parking?”

Jean Longhurst, 75, of Lakeside Avenue, Rownhams, said: “It would be a real shame to see it demolished. The hall is used by so many local people and I’m not sure they would be able to get elsewhere. They have all the fares there, it would be a great loss to local people.”

David Rowen, 73, of Tor Drive, Chandler’s Ford, said: “I go to Crosfield Hall to donate blood and for the odd exhibition. If it ‘ain’t’ broke don’t fix it. It’s easily accessible for people here and most of the residents here are elderly too. Whether the new site would be suitable very much depends on parking.”