THE masterplan to revamp the south of Romsey’s town centre has been approved after two years of work.

A fishlake square, new retail and dining space, including a new mobility hub, are just some of the plans for the area around Crosfield Hall and the Broadwater Road car park over the next five to ten years.

As reported, the masterplanning process began through the Romsey Future partnership, including Romsey Town Council and Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), in 2018 after consultants Nexus and Perkins & Will Architects were appointed.

Now, it has been revealed the masterplan was unanimously approved at the borough's full council on Wednesday.

However, one councillor did note it was "a shame" a creative solution could not be made for the housing around the south of the town centre, adding it could have made the masterplan "even better".

Deputy leader of TVBC, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: "The masterplan is shaped not by the council, not by us, not by Romsey Future, but by the people, business and visitors to Romsey; the people who have visited our stalls at The Romsey Show, the people who have talked to use on a very wet market day, where we talked to the shoppers in Romsey and at the very many events we have held over time. "Colleagues I commend this to you, it's been a long, detailed and passionate piece of work from all of us.

"I think it gives an excellent framework to the future of the town and so I do hope you support it."

Cllr Sandra Gidley, who represents Romsey Abbey on the borough council, said: "The only thing I really need to flag up is that there are other parts of the south of the town centre that aren't included in the plan.

"I think it's a shame that we couldn't think of some creative solution involving the housing around there, because if we had been able to do something more holistically I think it would have been even better.

"But, I would like to add my support to this and thank of all those who were involved in the process."

As part of the plans, the budget supermarket, Aldi, in The Hundred, could be relocated to the Crosfield Hall site in Broadwater Road.

This means the old Aldi site could be used as a gym, restaurants, offices or for stores, which may face The Hundred.

The current Aldi car park would then be redesigned, so customers can use nearly 200 spaces.

Some of the short-term plans for the area include terraced seating and improving the views to the Fishlake stream as it runs along the current bus station and down towards Dukes Mill, as well as transforming Broadwater Road with new pedestrian surfaces and access points.

A new mobility hub would be created within a new relocated bus station. This would boast bicycle storage and ‘Amazon-style’ collection and storage lockers.

A mixed-use development would also be put in place on the existing bus station site, including commercial space on the ground level, which could include restaurants and dining outlets.

Other improvements in the plans include the current Crosfield Hall site being used for parking and, before it is transformed, alternative community space will be provided in the town.

Public toilets and other facilities would be built into the area and a new public plaza, called Fishlake Square, would be created.