Romsey 2020
January 2008
Romsey 2020
A Vision for the future of Romsey
Welcome to Romsey
Romsey from Greenhill
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Romsey 2020
January 2008
Table of Contents
VISION FOR ROMSEY .............................. 3
AN OVERALL VISION FOR THE COMMUNITY . 3
ENVIRONMENT ............................................ 3
WORK AND ECONOMY ................................. 3
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY............................ 3
TRANSPORT AND ACCESSIBILITY ................. 3
INTRODUCTION ........................................ 4
HOW ROMSEY 2020 REPORT WAS
PREPARED .................................................. 4
CONTACT FOR THIS REPORT......................... 4
WORKING GROUPS, MEMBERSHIP AND REMIT
.................................................................... 4
MEMBERSHIP OF STEERING GROUP: ............ 6
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ............................... 6
THE ROLE OF LOOK AT ROMSEY ................. 7
ROMSEY AND ITS HINTERLAND.......... 8
LOCATION ................................................... 8
BROADLANDS .............................................. 9
URBAN ROMSEY.......................................... 9
BUILDINGS ................................................ 10
HOUSING ................................................... 11
OPEN SPACES AND LEISURE PROVISION .... 12
EDUCATION ............................................... 14
THE ECONOMY OF ROMSEY ...................... 14
COMMUNITY SPIRIT ................................... 16
FACILITIES ................................................ 17
HEALTHCARE ............................................ 18
USE OF OPEN SPACE .................................. 19
BUILDINGS ................................................ 20
WEAKNESSES .......................................... 21
LAW AND ORDER ...................................... 21
PROVISION FOR THE YOUNG ...................... 21
SPORTING FACILITIES ................................ 21
HOUSING ................................................... 22
RAILWAY STATION.................................... 22
MOVING TRAFFIC ...................................... 22
TOWN TRAFFIC.......................................... 23
STREET NAME SIGNAGE ............................. 24
PEDESTRIAN ROUTES ................................. 24
NEEDS OF CYCLISTS .................................. 25
PAVEMENTS AND PARKING ........................ 25
BUSINESS PREMISES .................................. 25
OPPORTUNITIES ..................................... 26
STIMULI..................................................... 26
VISITORS AND TOURISM ............................ 26
TRAINS AND BUSES ................................... 27
PATHS ....................................................... 28
STREET SCENE .......................................... 28
OPEN SPACES AND MEETING PLACES ........ 29
THREATS ................................................... 30
EMPLOYMENT ............................................ 30
MEDICAL PROVISION ................................. 30
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE TEXT
...................................................................... 31
SOURCES OF INFORMATION............... 31
APPENDIX 1 POPULATION .................. 32
TOTAL POPULATION 2001 .......................... 32
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION BY AGE. ......... 32
Residents aged 60+ in 2001 .................. 32
Residents aged 16 and under in 2001 ... 32
SOCIAL CLASS OF RESIDENTS AGED 16 AND
OVER .......................................................... 32
CHART COMPARING SOCIAL STATUS OF
ADULTS ..................................................... 33
ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING ALONE ................ 33
APPENDIX 2 NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT ........................................ 33
APPENDIX 3 LISTED BUILDINGS ....... 34
A. LISTED BUILDINGS IN ROMSEY TOWN .. 34
B. LISTED BUILDINGS IN ROMSEY EXTRA .. 35
APPENDIX 4 HOUSING .......................... 36
1. SOCIAL HOUSING IN ROMSEY ................ 36
2. HOUSING SHORTFALLS AND SURPLUSES36
a. Private sector housing stock ............ 36
b. Affordable Housing .......................... 36
3. PRICES OF HOUSES TO BUY .................... 36
4. PRICES OF HOMES TO RENT. ................... 37
5. HOMELESSNESS. .................................... 37
6. SUPPORTED HOUSING............................ 37
7. SECOND HOMES ..................................... 37
8 VACANT HOMES ..................................... 38
9 AFFORDABLE HOMES ............................. 38
APPENDIX 5 THE WORKING
POPULATION ............................................ 38
1. ECONOMIC RATES.................................. 38
2. AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD EARNINGS. ........ 38
3. UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES BY LENGTH OF
UNEMPLOYMENT ........................................ 38
4. YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT (16-24) AT
JANUARY 2995 .......................................... 38
5. PERCENTAGES WHO COMMUTE.............. 38
6 ANALYSIS OF TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT ... 39
7. LARGE EMPLOYERS IN ROMSEY ............ 39
APPENDIX 6 COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY ................................................ 39
APPENDIX 7 FOOTPATHS AND OTHER
NON-ROAD WAYS.................................... 40
APPENDIX 8 CRIME AND DISORDER 40
HOUSING ................................................... 30
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Romsey 2020
January 2008
Vision for Romsey
Romsey is a very popular town and most people like living here, although there are
aspects of the place where improvements would be welcomed.
An overall vision for the community
Our aim is that Romsey will retain its unique, distinctive historic character and will
continue as a thriving and economically stable market town. In order to achieve this,
it is necessary to ensure good social and community provision; excellent cultural and
recreational facilities; integrated transport and accessibility; and effective economic,
housing and employment opportunities.
Environment
Romsey is a small town in Hampshire surrounded by countryside, which provides a
valuable rural setting. The many streams and waterways are a unique feature of the
town, which will be more accessible. The town has several open spaces that will be
preserved and in some cases enhanced. The open nature of many of the residential
areas, have valued features such as grass and trees, which are worthy of emulation
in new developments. The historic nature of Romsey and its hinterland will be
enhanced to attract tourists to visit and enjoy the heritage and local places of interest.
Work and economy
Our aim is that Romsey will develop and continue to offer more choice of local
employment, in particular attracting a range of prestigious companies and providing
opportunities and support for new businesses to start-up. Romsey will be a vibrant,
traditional market town with a high quality individual and varied retail and commercial
sector. Romsey will encourage increasingly greater numbers of people to access its
visitor friendly shops, facilities and thriving market; a shopping centre of choice for
those living and working in Romsey and the surrounding villages.
Social and community
Romsey will be a town that cares for all sections of its community. It will maintain
and develop facilities and information so that all groups and individuals can access
and take part in a wide range of social, cultural and recreational activities in a safe
environment. Housing developments will include provision of housing for a wide
range of income groups.
Transport and accessibility
There will be an integrated and synchronised public transport system, making
Romsey and its hinterland accessible and convenient to residents and visitors. This
will consist of improved rail links, and reliable frequent buses that run at times when
needed. It will be a pleasant place for pedestrians and cyclists, attractively
signposted, well lit with well cared for public spaces. Private transport will still be
necessary and provision will be made for it.
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Romsey 2020
Introduction
Romsey is a small town of about
18,000 people. It lies in southern
Hampshire, within Test Valley
Borough. For electoral purposes,
Romsey is divided into four wards,
namely Abbey, Cupernham, Tadburn
and Romsey Extra. Further
information about the population is
given in Appendix 1.
The urban area has two parish
councils, namely Romsey Town
Council and, entirely surrounding it,
Romsey Extra Parish Council. The
area covered by Romsey Town
Council is comprised of Abbey,
Cupernham and Tadburn wards. It is
also known as Romsey Infra. Romsey
Infra is urban, whereas Romsey Extra
covers much rural land as well as
some of the outer urban parts of
Romsey. Both parishes form part of
the Romsey Parliamentary
constituency. Romsey Infra forms one
County Council division, while Romsey
Extra is part of another division
Milestone on outskirts of town
This report is limited to these two
parishes of Romsey Infra and Romsey
Extra. Residents of the rural
settlements within the parish of
Romsey Extra have been included in
the consultation process. Romsey
partially acts as a centre for several
nearby villages. These settlements
also look to nearby larger towns for
services and their needs are not
directly addressed in this report. Their
interactions with the town are
illustrated by issues raised by the
outlying parts of Romsey Extra.
January 2008
How Romsey 2020
report was prepared
Contact for this report:
Mr
Rod Simpson, Tanglewood, Sandy
Lane, Romsey, SO51 0PD. Phone
01794 368009, E-mail
rodsal_81@talk21.com
Working groups,
membership and remit
The project started with a public
meeting 27th October 2004 at which
the aims and objectives were
explained and a decision taken to
embark on a Healthcheck. It was
attended by 52 people. These people
indicated which of the four main areas
of interest they wished to work on and
sub-committees were set up. In
addition a committee or steering group
was established with oversight of the
whole project.
Each sub-committee worked
separately to complete the relevant
Healthcheck questionnaire. When the
questionnaires were completed, a
considerable number of ideas for
action had been identified. These
were codified and whittled down to
about 24. A public exhibition was held
in January 2007. It was advertised in
the Romsey Advertiser and 305
people attended. Their comments
were recorded and considered at a
committee meeting. Presentations
have been made to Romsey Town
Council and to The Romsey Forum.
[Full details of the committees, and
their briefs can be obtained from the
Town Centre Manager.]
Cover of Social and
Community
Healthcheck report
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Romsey 2020
January 2008
can be seen on the TVBC website, but
are not directly referred to in this
document.
Using the Healthcheck questionnaires
as guidance together with input from
public consultation, a description and
analysis of Romsey was made which
forms much of this document.
Following the various consultation
exercises, an action plan has been
prepared which sets out specific
projects that have popular support. It
is in the form of a chart together with
indications about how individual
elements can be advanced. It is
intended that as some of these
projects are completed, others will
take their place, and for this reason,
the chart is presented as a separate
document.
Romsey Abbey Church
The consultation undertaken by the
original Romsey Area Information
Network as well as the Market Towns
Healthcheck and the Look at Romsey
Project have ensured that the selected
projects are wanted and needed. The
development process will include
representatives of all sectors to
produce a comprehensive and
interesting pack and website
incorporating the views of participants,
visitors, businesses and members of
the publics at all stages.
Crowds gathering to welcome the Queen
The Borough Local Plan has been
consulted. It sets out a vision for the
kind of place that local people want
Test Valley to be in the future and
identifies the key priorities for action’.1
The Vision for Romsey committee is in
full agreement with the three key
themes of the Borough Local Plan
namely ‘respecting the environment,
meeting the needs of the community
and enhancing the quality of life’.2 The
Borough Local Plan relied on other
surveys relevant to Test Valley. These
1
2
Borough Local Plan 1.2.1
Borough Local Plan 2.3.1
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Romsey 2020
January 2008
Membership of Steering Group:
Chair:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Rod Simpson Romsey & District Society
Sally Simpson
Andrew Musson
Romsey & District Railway Modellers’ Society
The working party (October 2007) consists of:
Alison Johnson
Amanda Smalley
Anne Meader
Carolyn Nixson
Christine Cole
Darren Reed
John Palk
Julian Jones
Nadine Taylor
Paul Pellatt
Phoebe Merrick
Rev Terry Hinks
Rod Simpson
Sally Leech
Wendy Herbert
Romsey Extra Parish Council
Testway Housing
Romsey & District Carers’ Forum RAIN/RADISH
Test Valley Friends of the Earth
TVBC Town Centre Manager
Romsey District Scouts
RAIN
ex Romsey Town Council
Member of Public with Marketing Experience
Stanbridge Earls School
Romsey & District Society
United Reformed Church
Romsey & District Society
Test Valley Borough Council
Youth in Romsey
In addition, the following people and organisations are thanked for their contributions
to the project.
Greg Alexander
Janet Blann
John Davies
Stuart Duncan
Tony McGovern
Cllr Alan Marsh
Debbie Sacree
Mike Smales
Jo Warren
Marion Woods
Jill Gethin
Anne Harrison
Test Valley Community Services
Test Valley Community Services
Romsey Chamber of Commerce
Mountbatten School
TVBC and Romsey Town Council
HCC Adult Services Social Services
Hampshire Farmers’ Market
Valley Leisure
Test Valley Partnership
Romsey Town Council
HCC Market Towns Co-ordinator
Professional Advice
We are grateful to the following for the benefit of their professional advice.
David Bibby
David Gleave
Colin Wright
Mike Hedderley
Tim Austin
Ian Smith
TVBC Planning Dept
TVBC Economic Development
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council
South Hampshire Enterprise Agency
IBP Training
This report was written by Phoebe Merrick, but considered by the whole committee.
Thanks are due to Anne Harrison for her guidance in the content required for the
production of this document. Help with factual details was provided by staff at TVBC
to whom thanks are also given.
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Romsey 2020
The Role of Look at Romsey
Vision for Romsey drew heavily on
Look at Romsey. This project was
overseen by R&DS and under the
leadership of Phoebe Merrick. Look at
Romsey was a town design statement,
a project similar to the village design
statements that have been prepared in
several Test Valley villages. The Look
at Romsey project prepared design
statements for the whole of urban
Romsey. Although the content was
determined entirely by the residents,
the project received much guidance
about methodology and help in
preparing the reports from the
Planning Department of Test Valley
Borough Council from whom copies of
the final statements can be obtained.
The reports are available on the TVBC
website www.testvalley.gov.uk.
In order to tackle a community the size
of Romsey, the built-up area was
divided into twelve sections and a
design statement prepared for each
one. No attempt was made to make
the areas similar in size or population.
However, much the same steps were
followed in each area. In each area a
working party was established which
carried out extensive consultation.
This included several door-to-door
leaflet drops, guided walks, an
exhibition, a questionnaire and
consultation about the draft design
statement before it was finalised.
Based on the information and
comments received, the text of each
draft design statement was then
prepared. When the working party
was satisfied with the words, pictures
were added, and copies made
available (free) in local shops etc.
Once again the whole neighbourhood
was leafleted and people invited to
comment. All comments were
acknowledged. The final drafts were
prepared and sent to TVBC for their
further action. In addition an Overview
was prepared in which the
methodology and figures were
January 2008
presented and common issues dealt
with. This was submitted to the
Executive Committee of R&DS for
vetting and to leading members of
area working parties and was made
available for public comment.
Visitors to a Look at Romsey exhibition
In all about 9000 households were
leafleted at least three times and
publicity involved news items in the
Romsey Advertiser and information on
the RomseyNet. In addition a report
was made to The Romsey Forum at
which issues concerning the town are
discussed by interested citizens.
The overall response rate to the
questionnaires was 15% (1268
replies). In all about 3080 draft Design
Statements were taken up by
members of the population, or sent to
councillors and other officials. TVBC
is currently undertaking further work
with the aim of adopting the study as
Supplementary Planning Guidance.
In the course of the consultation, a
number of matters were raised by
members of the public that could not
be considered as ‘design’. These
were placed into appendices with the
relevant draft report, and were
subsequently sent to local councillors
as the text of separate letters. These
non-design issues and the Look at
Romsey reports have been drawn on
heavily by the Romsey 2020 team.
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Romsey 2020
Romsey and its
hinterland
Location
The town lies between the New Forest
and Salisbury to the west, and
Winchester and Southampton to the
east. The M27 passes nearby, and
the town is reached by A3090, A27,
and A3057. There is a by-pass to the
south of the town (A27 and A3090)
which separates the town from the
Broadlands estate.
Railway lines join the town directly to
Salisbury and Bristol, Eastleigh and
Southampton. The low railway bridges
mean that large vehicles cannot
access or leave the town easily and
lengthy detours are often necessary.
There are frequent traffic problems
caused by lorries colliding with the
bridges.
January 2008
Spittle Tadburn which flows from the
east and joins the Test south of the
town. This stream has cut a
substantial valley into the eastern hill
of the Test Valley. Some of the area
around the Tadburn is part of a
designated Nature Conservation Area.
Outside the town lie the rural parts of
Romsey Extra. Much of this land is
agricultural, both on the valley floor
and above. Within this outer area
there are scattered hamlets, most of
which were originally created to serve
agricultural needs. Much of the land to
the south of the town is part of the
Broadlands estate.
Trees and the two chapels in the old
cemetery make an important contribution
to the town’s skyline
River Test to the north of Romsey By-pass
The historic core of the town lies in the
valley of the river Test, with the river to
the west of the settlement. Much of
the valley floor of the Test around
Romsey is an SSSI. On either side of
the valley floor, there are steep hills
which rise up to low plateaux. The
valley floor is laced with braids of the
Test, which like the main river channel,
flow from north to south. One of these
is the remains of an eighteenth century
canal.
In addition there is a tributary of the
Test, known as Tadburn Lake or
This part of Hampshire is heavily
wooded. For example there are
extensive woodlands to the east which
extend to the neighbouring parish of
Ampfield. They are seen by travellers
approaching Romsey along the A3090
in the stretch known as the Straight
Mile. To the north of the Straight Mile
lies the internationally acclaimed Sir
Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum.
It is a Grade II Registered Historic
Park owned by Hampshire County
Council and part of it is in Romsey
Extra.
There are a number of woods on the
western slopes of the Test valley,
some of whose trees dominate the
skyline. Beyond the western plateau,
the land slopes down to the River
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Romsey 2020
Blackwater which flows from the New
Forest and joins the Test south of
Romsey. Part of the Blackwater forms
a section of the western boundary of
Romsey Extra. Its valley includes a
rare and delicate ecology akin to that
of the New Forest. Within the two
parishes, there are 22 SINCs which
are listed in Appendix 2.
January 2008
and other public activities.
In the mid- and later-twentieth century,
the house was the home of Lord
Mountbatten, and frequently visited by
senior members of the royal family.
Both the Queen and Prince Charles
started their honeymoons at
Broadlands. In the nineteenth century,
Broadlands was the home of Lord
Palmerston, who became Prime
Minister during the Crimean War. It
was his great-grandfather and father
who remodelled the house into the
gracious Palladian style building that
exists today, while his contribution was
to buy large tracts of land adjacent to
his holdings and thus to build up the
estate to its current size.
A3090 to the east of Romsey, known here
as the ‘Straight Mile’
A particularly good view of Romsey
and the nearby Test valley is obtained
from an informal lay-by and an
adjacent footpath at the top of Green
Hill on the A 27. (see front cover)
Broadlands
Broadlands House and park lie to the
south of the Romsey By-pass. The
house is a fine eighteenth century
mansion with Grade 1 listing. The
Orangery is listed as Grade II* and
several other properties on the estate
have Grade II listing. (See Appendix
3B). The park is a Registered Historic
Park (Grade II*). Much of the
Broadlands estate is open land
dedicated to agriculture and sporting
activities. The estate provides a rural
area between Romsey and the urban
developments nearer the coast.
The house is still a family home,
although parts of it are open to the
public during the summer months.
The home park is used for a variety of
public events, such as the Romsey
Show, as well as concerts, craft shows
Broadlands Park and House
Embley Park, a grade II Registered
Park, lies just outside Romsey. It was
the home of Florence Nightingale,
whose acquaintance with Lord
Palmerston meant that she had the
contacts to enable her to go to the
Crimea.
Urban Romsey
For many centuries urban Romsey
was confined to the gravel banks of
the valley floor. However from the
1930s onwards, the town has
expanded and homes were built on the
eastern slopes above the town and on
the flatter land above. More recently,
homes have been built on the level
ground to the north of the old town.
These twentieth century houses are all
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Romsey 2020
separated from the older part of
Romsey by the railway line which is on
a raised embankment. The river Test
and Broadlands Park act as barriers
on the west and south respectively.
The town itself is fairly compact with a
clearly defined edge to the urban
envelope. The historic core of the
town is built around its medieval street
pattern, although there have been
some disconnected attempts at
widening the streets by setting
buildings back from the building line,
which efforts are mostly not felicitous.
Some of the streets still bear their
Saxon names, or derivatives thereof,
such as Latimer Street (anciently
Lortemere Street), Banning Street (or
Bannoc Street) and Newton Lane.
Much of the older part of the town has
been designated a conservation area.
January 2008
Great Woodley estate. It was laid out
as a Radburn Estate, with pedestrians
and traffic separated. Aspects of this
design work well, but the overall effect
is confusing to visitors and residents
alike.
In several parts of the town, there are
avenues of lime trees that enhance the
urban environment, notably those in
the Montfort estate, those in Viney
Avenue and the pollarded limes
around the North Garth of Romsey
Abbey.
Avenue of lime trees at Montfort Heights
Buildings
The basic skeleton of the outer roads
of the town was largely established by
the Turnpike Trusts in the mideighteenth century with lesser roads
created by the Enclosure Award
commissioners in the early nineteenth
century. Many residential roads now
spur off this structure.
Within the old town, the older
vernacular building style is red brick
and clay tile roofs although Victorian
houses are often roofed with slate, and
rendered and painted finishes are
often found. It is very common for
houses in Romsey, both old and new,
to be tile hung on the upper stories.
Barge boards are not uncommon on
houses built since the 1950s. A few
houses are thatched, but thatch is now
an unusual roofing material in
Romsey. Houses are mostly twostories high, although a few are taller.
The layouts of the residential areas
follow the various fashions of their
decade. Thus some roads are cul-desacs with no pedestrian access except
along the road way, whereas others
have a network of footpaths to
supplement vehicular access. The
most distinctive residential area is the
The town centre is dominated by the
Abbey Church, a building dating from
the twelfth century, which was built to
serve the needs of the Benedictine
nunnery that had been established in
Romsey in the tenth century. This
massive church is built of stone and its
tower is topped with a lantern that
Latimer Street in the town centre
10
Romsey 2020
enables its bells to be heard across
the town.
January 2008
In all Romsey has four structures with
Grade I listing, nine with Grade II* and
204 Grade II. These are listed in
Appendix 3.
Housing
There has been a substantial rise in
the number of houses built in Romsey
since the Second World War.
Increased use has been made of land
within the town centre, supplemented
by the development of several suburbs
to the east and north of the historic
core of the town.
Test Cottages, Middlebridge Street
Other buildings in the town centre
make a significant contribution to the
skyline, such as the cupola on the
United Reformed Church or that on
Lloyds TSB bank. Amongst the
important historic buildings within the
town are King John’s House, a
thirteenth century hall house, given
Grade 1 listing. Nearby the White
Horse Hotel is a Grade 2* listed
building that dominates the Market
Place. Many of the town centre
houses seem to have been built in the
eighteenth or nineteenth century, but
further research has revealed that
many of them have timber frames and
are much older than they at first
appear.
Turrets enhance the corner of the Market
Place
Houses in a late-twentieth century housing
development
Predominantly houses are small
although most have gardens. There
are a few relatively large Victorian
houses, mostly outside the historic
core of the town. Some of these
Victorian mansions and other large
buildings have been subdivided to
form apartments. This is particularly
true of structures that were originally
industrial in use and which have since
been converted to residential use. In
addition there are several low-rise
purpose-built blocks of flats. New
private housing, mostly houses or
flats, is being built continuously. The
town is expected to provide for a
substantial number of homes in the
next 20 years.
Social housing is spread across urban
Romsey. It consists of a mixture of
houses, bungalows, flats and
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Romsey 2020
sheltered accommodation. Although
the picture is complex, overall there is
a net shortage of available housing for
those in need. Supported housing is
available for elderly people, young
people and people with physical and
learning disabilities, as well as
provision made to support people in
their own homes. Details of social
housing, supported housing and
private sector housing are given in
Appendix 4.
January 2008
Open Spaces and Leisure
Provision
The main public open spaces are the
War Memorial Park, Botley Road
cemetery and the recreation ground
opposite, Tadburn Meadows, Woodley
Green, Martha’s Piece and land on
both sides of the Canal. There are
smaller, but well used open spaces at
Woodley Close, by Woodley Village
Hall, below Viney Avenue, in Campion
Drive and near Montfort Hall. These
places are all free at the time of use
and some of them have playground
equipment which is well maintained.
The playground in the War Memorial
Park has equipment suitable for the
disabled to use. Only the War
Memorial Park has public toilets and a
kiosk where refreshments are served.
Bungalows provide homes for the
physically impaired
Most of the housing stock reaches the
decent homes standard set by the
government and those belonging to
Registered Social Landlords are being
improved. In the private sector,
problems arise particularly in flats
above shops and dwellings built before
1919 usually because of poor heating
facilities or inadequate insulation.
Bandstand in the War Memorial Park
Homelessness is not a significant
problem within Test Valley and figures
for Romsey are not available.
However the cost of purchase or of
rents causes considerable hardship.
(The cost of housing is discussed in
Appendix 4.) Empty homes, whether
publicly or privately owned is not a
significant problem in Romsey.
In the rural areas, and to a small
extent within the town, the purchase of
properties as ‘second homes’ or ‘buy
to let’ removes cheaper housing from
the pool available to first time buyers.
In 2004 there were only 31 identifiable
second homes in Romsey town.
In addition many of the residential
areas are enhanced by small greens,
areas of grass land. The by-pass
includes grass land and trees and
pedestrians can walk along it. The
cherry trees are particular favourites of
the townsfolk, while the Lombardy
poplars give an architectural focus to
its eastern end.
Many people walk over the disused
gravel pit at Abbotswood, but this is
not a public open space. Fishlake
Meadows, a privately owned natural
wetland lies just to the north of the
town and is traversed by several public
footpaths.
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Romsey 2020
January 2008
TVBC acknowledges the importance
of retaining recreational areas and has
stated that
Existing recreational areas and
facilities, including sports pitches,
recreational buildings, public open
spaces and allotments, are
important resources for the local
community and should not be lost
to built development. The Council
considers that people should have
access to open space close to
where they live and the need for
higher densities within urban areas
should not compromise the
important aim of protecting areas
of green space and other
recreational facilities.3
Entrance to Hillier Arboretum
Several of the area’s recreational sites
which charge for admission. Amongst
these are the Sir Harold Hillier
Gardens and Arboretum. The large
sports complex at The Rapids has a
variety of pay to use facilities and
some open space. The area provides
some open space where people walk
and has a very popular skate-boarding
facility, and the town’s football ground
is nearby. Hunt’s Farm, another public
sports ground is situated to the north
of Romsey in Timsbury. Sporting
facilities for the public are also made
available in the town’s two secondary
schools, i.e. The Romsey School and
The Mountbatten School Language
and Sports College. There are tennis
courts and a bowling green in the War
Memorial Park. Nearly all the town’s
allotments are beside Southampton
Road on land owned by Broadlands
Estate and are a much appreciated
facility with a waiting list of applicants.
Allotments beside Southampton Road
Much of the angling available in
Romsey is provided by the Broadlands
Estate. Salmon and trout fishing is
available on a seasonal and day rod
basis on the renowned River Test
which runs for four miles through the
Estate. In addition Longbridge Lake,
created in 1987 from old gravel
workings, is well stocked for carp
anglers and pleasure fishing. This well
established and mature lake provides
a wide range of carp (up to 30lbs)
roach, crucians, bream, rudd, perch
and tench with match bags to 150 lbs.
The various public car parks in the
town are available on a pay to use
basis, but free from 4 p.m. Waitrose
provides a large car park which is free
to shoppers for two hours and this is
much used. South of The Hundred, a
wide open space is used variously as
a bus station, short-term car parks and
Aldi’s car park. On the other side of
the road, there are long and mediumstay car parks around the Crosfield
Hall.
There are a number of public halls
which are heavily used by the many
organisations that flourish within the
town. Apart from church halls, they
3
Borough Local Plan 6.6.15
13
Romsey 2020
include the Town Hall, the Crosfield
Hall, Age Concern, and further afield
the Red Cross Hall, Woodley Village
Hall, Montfort Hall in addition to halls
owned by churches and Scout and
Guide groups. Most of them provide
catering facilities, but are not well
equipped for audio-visual
presentations. School halls are
available for hire, but tend to be
expensive. Overall, there is something
of a shortfall in provision to meet the
demand.
January 2008
has to be sought elsewhere. There is
also a shortfall in the provision of
places for under fives. (HCC Early
Education and Childcare Unit Audit
provision, November 2004)
In addition there are three private
schools on the outskirts of Romsey
catering for a mixture of day and
boarding pupils.
The Economy of Romsey
The town has a flourishing dramatic
society which bought a disused
cinema and converted it into the Plaza
Theatre. The Lantern Theatre at the
Mountbatten School is also extensively
used for plays and musical events by
members of the community.
Southern offices of Test Valley Borough
Council
Plaza Theatre, Winchester Road
Education
The town is well provided with facilities
and acts as a focus for people from
outlying parts of Romsey and many of
the surrounding villages. There are
four primary schools and two
secondary schools in the state sector.
All provide a good standard of
education. The two secondary
schools cater for children from
neighbouring villages, and attract a
number of children from ‘out of
catchment’. However there is no
provision for the education of post-16
year olds and post GCSE education
Romsey is still a rural town, and much
of the land surrounding the town is
given over to agricultural use. Fish
farming takes place beside the river
Test. Within the town, many people
work in shops and offices, one of the
largest of these being the southern
headquarters of Test Valley Borough
Council. The town has a number of
residential care homes which provide
employment for many people as do
the town’s schools. There are several
industrial estates outside the town
centre and these provide for light
engineering, warehouses and offices.
Their staffs, as is true for the other
workplaces, are a mixture of local
people and commuters. Distribution
and retail claim the largest proportion
of the workforce within the town at
nearly 33%. There is a detailed
analysis of work in Appendix 5. The
town has a broad employment base
and relatively few employers of more
than 100 people within Romsey.
14
Romsey 2020
The Borough Local Plan observes that
The industrial estates within the
Borough provide opportunities for a
range of employment uses,
including those that may not be
acceptable within largely
residential areas. They provide the
main opportunities for uses such
as manufacturing and in certain
cases meet particular economic
development needs. … The
replacement of these estates
elsewhere within the Borough, if
lost to other uses, would be
extremely difficult without causing
significant environmental damage.
The Council's aim therefore is to
maintain the role of these estates,
through the prevention of changes
to other uses, including retail and,
on sites where the type of
employment use is more closely
controlled, other employment
uses.4
January 2008
research and development arm of
Siemens. IBM Research Laboratories
are nearby. Both Southampton and
Winchester have universities, some of
whose staff live in Romsey. A number
of Romsey people work for large
employers in those two towns, such as
Hampshire County Council, the
hospitals, Ordnance Survey and other
government departments, or for
smaller concerns. Overall some 40%
of the working population is employed
within Romsey while the rest work
elsewhere.
Adult unemployment in Romsey is
1.2% (Jan 2007) which is well below
the average for either the Hampshire
or national rates. Similarly the youth
unemployment rate is low. This is a
well-established situation. The
employment rate for Romsey is 82.4%
(2001) which is slightly below the Test
Valley rate of 83.5% but above the
national rate of 76.0%.
In 2006 average weekly earnings for
residents in Test Valley is £610.90
which is above the Hampshire average
of £581.70 and the national rate of
£537.30. Many Test Valley residents
are known to commute to Winchester,
Southampton or London where higher
pay levels boost the above-average
weekly earnings figures for the Valley.
The details are shown in Appendix 5.
Units at Romsey Industrial Estate
The strength of the local economy is
shown by the fact that nearly half the
firms contacted in a survey conducted
by the Romsey and District Chamber
of Commerce would like to move to
larger premises, of which there is a
shortage. Within the last five years
there has been a net increase in the
floorspace of retail outlets.5
Romsey is fortunate in having several
high-tech facilities nearby. Within
Romsey Extra is Roke Manor, the
4
5
Borough Local Plan 6.5.6
Healthcheck: Work and Economy: EC2 Q.3
Tourism is important to Romsey’s economy
and both the Abbey Church and the 13 th
century King John’s House are attractions.
15
Romsey 2020
Strengths
Community spirit
Amongst the objectives of the Borough
Local Plan is the aim ‘to meet the
needs for housing, employment,
community facilities, tourism and
infrastructure in ways that support
viable communities, maintain a robust
local economy and maintain the high
quality environment of the Borough’.6
The Vision for Romsey team backs
these objectives and wants to see
them succeed.
There is a good community spirit in
Romsey. The town is a vibrant place
with a wide array of interest groups
and a wealth of volunteers who will
give their time to support causes in
which they believe. These include
staffing King John’s House and the
associated Heritage Centre,
welcoming the many visitors to
Romsey Abbey, staffing the charity
shops, the work associated with
RAODS which owns the Plaza theatre,
the weekly Women’s Institute market,
and running a large number of clubs
and associations. In 2005, 162 were
identified. In particular the Romsey
and District Society and the local
history society, LTVAS Group, help to
interpret the town and to conserve its
appearance.
January 2008
for the cohesion of the community with
its weekly reporting of local events and
its role in providing a forum where
matters of concern are vigorously
debated. Both LTVAS Group and the
R&DS publish booklets on Romsey
from time to time, the former dealing
with historical topics and the latter on
more current issues.
The fact that there are two parish
councils, Romsey Town Council and
Romsey Extra Parish Council, is
important because with their distinct
foci they oversee matters of concern to
the town and surrounding countryside.
Besides these, the town has The
Romsey Forum that meets quarterly
with speakers on topical issues and
enables members of the public to
come along and have their say on
matters of local concern or interest. At
the last General Election, 69.70% of
the electors cast their votes.
Disused chapel at Lee, now the
headquarters of Romsey Art Group
Front page of Romsey Advertiser
The presence of a local newspaper,
The Romsey Advertiser, does much
6
Borough Local Plan 6.1.1
Amongst the social events that bind
townsfolk together are those organised
in connection with the annual summer
carnival and the smaller winter carnival
which is linked to the turning on of the
Christmas lights. Other public events
of significance are organised by the
town council, including formal events
such as those associated with
Remembrance Sunday, and social
events such as the mayor’s picnic,
held in the park each year. The Art
Group stages regular exhibitions in a
disused chapel at Lee, and every three
years the town holds a fortnight long
16
Romsey 2020
Arts Festival. Annual events of note
include annual Beggars Fair held in
the town centre and the Romsey Show
held in Broadlands Park. Shows at the
Plaza Theatre have a large following.
Amongst special interest groups are
the tenants’ advisory groups run by
Testway Housing for their tenants,
together with a Tenants’ Forum and
informal involvement within sheltered
housing schemes. They also involve
their tenants in various activities on
their estates and in focus groups on
specific topics. Testway 7's is
organised by Testway Housing to
provide a number of activities for
young people in the community.
Romsey Youth Council represents the
views of young people in Romsey and the
surrounding area, and has over the years
had some very talented leaders from
amongst the teenage community. The
town’s places of worship are well
supported, and the churches form another
important link in the chain of organisations
that give the town its community spirit.
Romsey Youth Council represents the
views of young people in Romsey and
the surrounding area, and has over the
years had some very talented leaders
from amongst the teenage community.
The town’s places of worship are well
supported, and the churches form
another important link in the chain of
organisations that give the town its
community spirit.
January 2008
periodic farmers’ markets and
Continental markets are popular and
well patronised. The town centre also
has branches of the principal banks, a
part-time Credit Union, building
societies and a Post Office.
The Corporate Support Team at TVBC
walked around the town centre in May
2005 and found no significant
evidence of vandalism, litter or graffiti,
the streets were impressively clean,
the street furniture was in good
condition and the area felt safe and
welcoming. They reported that the
only signs of neglect were a number of
empty shop premises and offices with
‘To Let’ signs. A summary of their
findings is given in Appendix 6.
A branch of the county library is a
landmark in the town, being
established in a fine building designed
by the architect, Eden Nesfield. It has
recently been refurbished and
provides a range of services and
community activities, for example story
time for the under fives, and computer
access as well as fulfilling its
traditional role.
Facilities
Within the town there is a range of
shops, including Waitrose, Aldi, the
Co-op and an independent department
store, Bradbeers, as well as many
smaller concerns, some branches of
multiples and others independent.
Shoppers can purchase everything
except white goods (electrical and
gas) without leaving Romsey. In
addition there is a small market that
meets three times a week with a
maximum of twelve stalls that sell an
interesting range of merchandise. The
The entrance to Romsey library
Test Valley Borough Council maintains
part of its administration in Romsey
(the major part is in Andover, 17 miles
away), so that residents can conduct
most of their business with TVBC in
17
Romsey 2020
Romsey. Similarly Romsey Town
Council has offices open to the public
for six hours a day on weekdays.
Neither Romsey Extra Parish Council
nor Hampshire County Council have a
demonstrable presence in the town,
but each sends out regular newsletters
making people aware of their
existence and giving contact
information. However the County
Council has a large Social Services
office based in the old magistrates’
court.
The existence of the railway line and a
station in Romsey is seen as an asset
to the town by most people. There are
bus services within the town and bus
links to the neighbouring larger towns
and to the villages. Many secondary
school children are brought to school
on dedicated buses. In addition there
is a thriving community transport
provision, including bookable bus
services such as Dial-A-Ride for older
people and those with disabilities, as
well as an active voluntary car
scheme, taking such people to the
town’s shops, medical facilities or
elsewhere. The existence of these
facilities is further proof of the
community spirit in Romsey as they
are largely provided by volunteers.
January 2008
them to get onto the motorway
network easily for journeys further
afield. People like living in Romsey
because it is near Winchester,
Southampton and Salisbury. London
is relatively easy to reach, although
there is no direct link by public
transport. A number of people use
Romsey as a base from which to go to
the coast, often in connection with
their hobbies associated with boats.
Similarly Romsey is seen as a good
place from which to visit the nearby
New Forest.
Healthcare
Despite having an-above average
number of over-60s, the town has
below average rates of coronary heart
disease, cancer, accidents and
suicides compared with South West
Hampshire or nationally.7
Entrance to Romsey Hospital
Romsey Town Hall dominates the Market
Place
Many people find the proximity of the
M27 a great convenience as it enables
The town has three doctors’ surgeries
offering a wide range of health care,
and five dentists’ practices.
Appointments at the doctors’ surgeries
are reasonably prompt. For intermediate treatment, or for nursing care,
the town has a small cottage hospital
where the outpatients’ clinics enable a
number of people to see specialists
locally. For more complicated
procedures, patients have the option
of going to main hospitals in
Winchester or Southampton. Accident
and emergency patients are taken to
7
Social and Community Healthcheck S3 Q3
18
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Winchester (11 miles away) or
Southampton (6 miles away): there is
no provision in Romsey. Most
mainstream alternative therapies are
available within the town such as
osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture
and aromatherapy.
Use of Open Space
The town is well provided with off-road
footways which are much used,
especially those beside the Canal and
Tadburn Lake. Some footpaths lead
into rural areas around the town and
enable people to enjoy the
neighbouring countryside. (For list of
footpaths, see Appendix 7.) The longdistance Test Way path enables
people to walk for miles up the Test
Valley and is very popular, although
little of it is within sight of the river
except for stretch of river between
Middlebridge and Sadler’s Mill. This
place is very attractive and much
visited both by Romsonians and by
people who live elsewhere in
Hampshire.
View of Park from Riverside Gardens
Path alongside the Canal
View across Fishlake Meadows from
Canal Path
Official opening of Tadburn Meadows
The War Memorial Park is one of the
places where town events take place,
such as the Mayor’s picnic annually,
and the laying of wreaths on
Remembrance Sunday. Fishing
licences can be obtained from TVBC
for fishing beside the park. The
various public open spaces, both large
and small, contribute greatly to the
attractiveness of the town. They also
provide foci for localised social events.
This is true of the larger open spaces
such as Woodley Green and very
small greens such as that in The
Thicket.
Many Romsonians take a pride in the
wildlife of the area, and birds,
mammals, fish and amphibia are much
watched and their presence enjoyed
by their human neighbours. This
concern is manifested in the number of
people who feed birds, who feed the
wild fish in the streams near their
homes or work to make animal friendly
environments. For example the
19
Romsey 2020
Friends of Tadburn Meadows have
been working with staff from TVBC to
preserve the habitats of the water
voles that live there.
Buildings
January 2008
The strength of community spirit is
exhibited by the interest shown by
people in the landmark buildings of the
town. For example, appeals by the
Abbey church and the United
Reformed Church for money for
repairs and improvements to their
churches have produced a widespread
response. Similarly many people in
the town have been prepared to
contribute towards the appeal by
Romsey District Scouts to provide
them with a new headquarters.
The brewery maltings being converted into
homes
The recent Look at Romsey project
established that most people like their
houses. Apart from a few in the town
centre, these are predominantly two
storey and mostly in single-household
occupation. Whereas the low-rise
blocks of flats are accepted, with
reservations about the style of some of
them, there is widespread opposition
to the horizontal division of small
family homes to make multiple
dwellings. Gardens are generally welltended as most people take pride in
them.
Gunville Gatehouse, once a turnpike
house
Erecting the Charter Stone which
commemorates the 400th anniversary of
the town achieving borough status. The
finance for the work was raised by the
Romsey and District Society
20
Romsey 2020
Weaknesses
Law and Order
January 2008
community affairs. Furthermore the
town loses the opportunity to influence
what courses are available at post-16
levels.
The town has one of the lowest crime
rates in the United Kingdom. (See
Appendix 8.) Nonetheless, there are
outbreaks of very bad behaviour
particularly by the young. These
frighten or disturb other people and
TVBC and the Police are working to
contain the miscreants. A few
unsettled youngsters cause a great
nuisance to the community and
whereas this is an age-old problem,
steps need to be taken to curb such
outbreaks. Much of the town centre is
protected by CCTV and there is a
Shopwatch radio scheme between
retailers in the town.
The skateboard facility near the
Rapids is much used as are shelters
and seats in public open spaces.
There are some excellent youth
organisations such as Scouts or Sea
Cadets, but there is a lack of places
where young people can meet
informally, although the youth centre in
Bell Street makes some provision.
A nuisance that is not confined to the
young is litter. There are places where
the casual dropping of litter renders
the area unsightly, and teenagers are
responsible for much of it, especially
along the canal where there is a
problem about responsibility for
maintenance. Dog owners who fail to
clear up after their pets are very
unpopular and render areas unsafe for
children to play on. Parts of Romsey
are regularly despoiled by fly-tippers,
some local and some from
Southampton or elsewhere. Whereas
TVBC is very good about removing
such deposits on public land, it is an
expense and nuisance that the
community should not have to bear.
About' Conference was held which was
attended by about 60 young people from
the two Romsey Secondary schools. A
‘Key Issue’ identified was the need for a
Youth Centre where young people could
meet and take part in activities but on a
site other than at a school. The need for a
larger and dedicated youth centre was reiterated at a consultation exercise held by
the Vision for Romsey committee. In
addition there were requests for Youth in
Romsey to arrange more activities
including more outdoor activities and trips
to see bands.
Overall provision for the young is
perceived by many teenagers as
inadequate, and this shortfall will
become more acute as the population
increases unless positive action is
taken to cater for this section of the
community. In October 2006, a 'Shout
Sporting Facilities
Provision for the young
Whereas education in the town is very
good on the whole, there is no
provision beyond the age of 16 except
for a few evening classes. Young
people who wish to study beyond
GCSE have to go to neighbouring
towns for Sixth Form, Technical or
advanced education. Thus the town
loses its bright and motivated
youngsters at an age when we might
expect them to be playing a part in
The Rapids, swimming and sports centre
The facilities at The Rapids have
recently been extensively upgraded
21
Romsey 2020
and attendance has increased by
25%. Many people regard the bathing
pool as rather expensive, even though
they like it and serious swimmers do
not find it suitable. The other facilities,
such as the gymnasium are heavily
used.
January 2008
which is about three minutes’ walk
away for a fit person, but it is not
advertised as a facility for rail
travellers.
Two of the football pitches at Hunts
Farm suffer from waterlogging which
means that they are not always
available for hire. There is a shortage
of sports pitches for most of the team
games that are popular in the area
such as junior football, junior rugby,
cricket and hockey.
Housing
House prices: although a regional
problem and not one unique to
Romsey, the high cost of housing
makes it harder for young people with
roots in the area to set up home here.
This problem is aggravated within the
town by older people ‘trading down’
from family homes to smaller homes
and therefore being able to afford high
prices. There is a need to bring
houses that have been empty for more
than six months back into occupation.
For the future there is a demonstrable
need to made more provision for the
frail elderly. There is a shortfall of
accommodation for this group which
will only worsen as numbers increase.8
Railway Station
The station is not served by any bus
route, which means people either have
to use taxis or cars to reach it, or face
a lengthy walk possibly with luggage.
A fit and unencumbered person needs
to allow ten minutes to get from the
bus station to the railway station, a
distance of 0.7 km.
There is a shortage of parking space
near the station. There is a long-stay
car park in the middle of Alma Road,
8
See appendix 5 item 6, Supported Housing.
Southern platform at Romsey railway
station
The northern platform can only be
reached by means of a tunnel that has
steps to and from each end and is thus
inaccessible for people of limited
mobility. Furthermore there are no
emergency lights in the tunnel in case
of power failures.
Moving Traffic
Traffic movement is hampered by the
presence of low railway bridges over
the A3090 in Winchester Road and
A3057 in Greatbridge Road. Lorries
cannot drive across Romsey from
south to north or east to west because
of these bridges. In order to reach the
industrial estates on the edge of town,
drivers of large vehicles have to take
counter-intuitive routes that start many
miles away. These routes are not
clearly signed, with the result that
drivers waste hours using unsuitable
routes, and the town suffers from large
lorries that have lost their way.
22
Romsey 2020
January 2008
lights controlling the junction with The
Hundred are blamed for traffic delays.
One effect of these difficulties is to
deflect through traffic to Cupernham
Lane with adverse effects on that
locality.
Winchester Road looking towards the low
Sun Arch that obstructs the A3090
The A3090 and the A3057 each fulfil a
dual function. On the one hand they
are major routes to and from the town,
but on the other hand they are
conduits for local traffic. These dual
uses sit uneasily together.
In particular there are problems at
peak times when local traffic has
considerable difficulty in turning onto
the A3090. The difficulties of using
this road in the Winchester Hill area
are aggravated by traffic going to the
hospital, or leaving the garage just
over the peak of the hill. The lack of
provision for pedestrians on that
stretch of Winchester Road makes it
difficult for them to go to bus stops or
visit the convenience shop there.
Outside the town centre, some minor
roads are becoming rat-runs and
carrying volumes of traffic for which
they are unsuitable. In particular,
Highwood Lane and Jermyns Lane
suffer from this misuse. These two
roads are used as informal northern
and eastern by-passes to the town
centre. Similarly fast traffic in
Gardeners Lane to the west is making
that road unsafe for pedestrians.
Town Traffic
The A3057 is routed through several
residential streets in the town centre
which reduces their appeal. Alma
Road is made even more busy by
traffic going to Waitrose and the traffic
There is a perceived shortage of
parking places within the town centre,
and at certain times of the day and
week finding a place to park vehicles
is difficult. Much traffic is generated by
people who live in the residential parts
or rural hamlets of Romsey and who
either are relatively remote from a bus
route, or for whom the buses do not
run early or late enough.
Car parking is made more difficult at
busy times because of the town’s one
way streets, and driving from one car
park to another needs a fair degree of
local knowledge. This can be tedious
and time-consuming for residents: it is
well-nigh impossible for people who
are strangers to the town.
The eastern end of the Market Place: an
area shared by pedestrians and through
traffic
Whereas many people, but not all,
would like some of the town centre
streets to be traffic free, the need to
have vehicular access to all parts of
the town precludes this. For example,
pedestrianising the Market Place and
the western end of The Hundred would
isolate The Abbey area to the west of
the Market Place.
23
Romsey 2020
Street name signage
January 2008
Pedestrian routes
The need for improved signage was
reflected by all four workshops within
the Healthcheck. Proposals made at
the January 2007 exhibition elicited
supportive comments from residents
The need is also reflected in the Look
at Romsey Study and in other work
carried out by Romsey and District
Society. Remedial work is dependent
upon strategies and support of local
authorities.
This is the approach to the Canal towpath,
which needs to be made more attractive
and more accessible
A review of street signage is overdue
Within the town, many streets are
poorly signed. On the Great Woodley
estate in particular the layout of
houses is confusing and signage can
only be described as marginally
helpful. Despite the provision of maps
in the town’s car parks, visitors often
have difficulty orientating themselves
to find the abbey church or the main
shopping area. A review of signage
throughout the town would be
beneficial.
Street name signs have been erected
for the convenience of drivers coming
from pre-ordained directions. Any
vehicle approaching a road from
another direction, say from elsewhere
on a given estate, or any pedestrian
who has filtered through using
footways, will have great difficulty
finding out where they are. A notable
example is the absence of signs by the
bridges over the canal.
There are some well used footways,
such as the paths beside the canal or
Tadburn Lake, although these need
enhancement. The Look at Romsey
project identified that very heavy use is
made of the canal path by residents
from Cupernham and Fishlake
Meadows. For this reason the Vision
for Romsey team and the R&DS have
each adopted the need to enhance
and tidy the southern parts of the
canal path as a primary objective.
In addition, thought needs to be given
to other needs of pedestrians in line
with government thinking ‘to reduce
the need to travel, reduce the length of
journeys and make it safer and easier
for people to access jobs, shopping,
leisure facilities and services by public
transport, walking and cycling’.9 For
example, a route from Winchester Hill
to the town centre that avoided the
Sun Arch would be a great benefit.
The Sun Arch has narrow pavements
and in wet weather, pedestrians are
splashed by passing vehicles.
Residents who live to the north of
Tadburn Meadows have no convenient
way of reaching Tadburn Meadows or
the Halterworth and Whitenap areas of
town. They are cut off by the railway
9
Borough Local Plan 6.5.1 citing para. 3,
PPG13: Transport, 2001, DETR
24
Romsey 2020
line which has no bridge from one side
to the other. Further afield, the
absence of a footway alongside either
Jermyn’s Lane (at least as far as the
arboretum) or Highwood Lane makes
those two roads more or less unusable
by pedestrians.
Needs of Cyclists
There is a general lack of provision for
cyclists within Romsey. Some of them
use the roads, but many are found on
the pavements to the inconvenience of
pedestrians.
From the outskirts of the town, there
are some cycle routes to other places,
and there are some short lengths of
dedicated cycle routes within the
urban area. There are no cycle routes
from the main residential areas of
Romsey to the town centre.
Furthermore, if people have cycled
into town, they then face a problem
because of the shortage of places
where they can safely leave their
bicycles, and a complete absence of
covered shelters.
Pavements and parking
Across the town generally there is
concern about the state of the
pavements. Within the historic core of
the town, they are often narrow which
means that vehicles pass very close to
pedestrians. Narrow streets mean that
vehicles aggravate the difficulties by
parking on pavements, which makes
the pavements unusable by people
with push chairs or electric buggies.
Because of the narrowness of the
pavements and the presence of
traditional shop doors a Shopmobility
scheme has not been deemed
practical.
The surfaces of many pavements are
poor. They are pot-holed and
frequently have a variety of nonmatching surfaces. This is partly due
to lack of routine maintenance by the
January 2008
highway authority, but the casual
approach by service companies to
repair is a major nuisance. They spoil
our pavement surfaces from one end
of the town to the other.
Off road parking solutions can cause
difficulties for pedestrians, especially
those who are none to steady on their
feet. Vehicles parked on their owners’
premises are provided with a dropped
kerb to enable easy access. Where
there are a series of these close
together, and particularly on narrow
pavements, the net effect for the
pedestrian is to end up walking along
a switchback-profile pavement, with no
horizontal route available. As more
front gardens are converted to provide
parking space, this problem is getting
worse.
The other drawbacks to this wholesale
conversion of front gardens include
problems with drainage of storm water
and the loss of visual amenity. Areas
are converted from a reasonably
homogenous street scene to a
disparate and uncoordinated set of
personal solutions to parking
problems.
Business Premises
There is a shortage of premises for
small businesses in industrial estates
when they have outgrown their startup accommodation. The town would
benefit from more industrial
warehousing accommodation.10 (See
Appendix 6.)
Businesses in Romsey are concerned
with the increases in business rates
and in some areas have experienced a
decline in retail sales and footfall. The
cost of rents is also a problem to some
businesses: they have increased
substantially in the last few years.11
There are eight charity shops in the
town centre and these are seen as a
10
11
Healthcheck: Work and Economy EC1 Q.11
Healthcheck: Work and Economy EC4 Q.4
25
Romsey 2020
threat by some shops. Most of the
charity shops have reasonable window
displays, but not all of them
consistently so. The least attractive
shop windows are those of the travel
agencies with their garish
advertisements stuck to the glass.
There is no Jobcentre in Romsey.
Enquirers who wish to visit have to go
to Eastleigh which is more than 10
miles away.
Opportunities
Stimuli
The review undertaken in the
preparation of this Healthcheck, and
the consultation processes that it has
incorporated have helped to identify
and clarify improvements that can be
made to Romsey. Once needs are
identified, it is possible to lobby for
specific sums of money to be made
available to address these needs.
For example, the Work and Economy
section of the Romsey Healthcheck
identified the need for a common
approach to marketing the Town and
its facilities. This has been reviewed
with Romsey Retailers through their
regular monthly meetings and with the
Romsey and District Chamber of
Commerce. It is supported by TVBC
Town Centre Management and
Romsey Town Council. The proposal
includes continued communication
with these bodies to ensure that the
marketing project proposed meets
needs.
January 2008
with Broadlands to encourage the
interchange of visitors. TVBC is
committed to encouraging tourism
which it recognises as important to the
town centre.12
Although the town has a good range of
restaurants there is a shortage of
places to stay within the town. There
are no self-catering or regular camping
sites within Romsey, although there
are some nearby. The Romsey and
District Preservation Trust has plans to
convert the railway station buildings
into a Youth Hostel. It is to be hoped
that this imaginative use for a largely
redundant building will come to
fruition.
The recent closure of the town’s
prestige hotel, the White Horse, is a
blow to tourism, and it is to be hoped
that plans for its refurbishment and reopening are successful, otherwise
Romsey will lose status amongst small
market towns. For example, the town
will see fewer of the celebrity visitors
than have graced it in the past.
Better provision for visitors should help
the economy of the town. Improving
the legibility of the town to enable
visitors to find their way easily to car
parks and from the car parks to places
of interest is important. We need to
improve the look of the approach
roads to Romsey, part of which will
entail better presentation and
uniformity of display of route
information.
Visitors and Tourism
Most visitors to Romsey come in the
summer months, partly influenced by
the fact that some of the principal
attractions close during the winter.
Broadlands attracts many visitors, both
to the house and to the large number
of events held in the Park. The town
should look to working more closely
The northern approach to Romsey: a
thicket of traffic notices
12
Borough Local Plan 6.6.3
26
Romsey 2020
As part of the welcome to visitors and
new residents, there is a need to
ensure that there is good quality and
easily accessible information available.
For this reason, the Vision for Romsey
team would like to see the creation of
a recognisable brand image for the
town together with suitable guides for
visitors, businesses and residents,
backed up by good websites. RAIN
and RADISH are indicative of what
can be achieved but there is a need
for an overarching image and
professional approach. We feel that
this would encourage visitors to
Romsey and ensure that residents and
businesses are fully aware of the
facilities that Romsey has to offer.
As part of the information network,
Romsey shopping guide information
should be included in the Test Valley
Tourism website, with arrangements to
see that it is updated routinely. A
calendar of events for the coming
months should be made available, but
its compilation can be quite difficult
and if it is to be useful it would need
adequate arrangements to keep it upto-date. Funds should be sought from
suitable bodies for the marketing of the
town as a destination.
The town has a town trail, and Green
Badge guides undertake guided tours.
The local history books produced by
LTVAS Group sell well and clearly fulfil
a need. A recent guide to the town’s
streams has also been well received.
One small problem is that the TIC is
called the Heritage and Visitor Centre
and visitors do not identify it, but go to
the Town Hall and elsewhere to ask
where it is, often having walked past it.
Trains and Buses
The presence of the railway line and a
station in Romsey are important both
for residents and to encourage visitors,
so the station needs to be retained
and access to the north platform by
disabled people must be provided. In
this objective there is support from the
January 2008
Borough Local Plan which aims ‘to
achieve a pattern of land use and a
network of transport links that reduce
the overall need to travel through the
location and design of development
and by encouraging the use of
alternatives to the car’.13
Romsey’s bus station: convenient for the
town centre but remote from the railway
station
The hours at which buses run do not
always suit the needs of residents,
either in connection with their hours of
work, or for pursuit of leisure activities.
The lack of adequate bus services is
particularly a problem for non-drivers,
especially the young. There are
opportunities for bus services to be
complimented by an increased use of
community transport throughout the
town and its surroundings.
Another deterrent to bus use lies in the
fact that buses only run to and from
the town centre and there is no radial
route joining Cupernham and Woodley
to Halterworth and Whitenap. Thus,
for example, residents of Woodley do
not have easy access to buses to
Southampton, and residents of
Halterworth do not have easy access
to buses to Winchester.
Scope for improvements in public
transport services were identified
particularly by the Transport &
Accessibility workshop, with support
from the Social and Community
13
Borough Local Plan 2.3.10
27
Romsey 2020
Workshop. Any relief here is heavily
dependent on the strategies of the
HCC Passenger Transport Group for
implementation. It has also been the
subject of comments at the January
2007 Exhibition and local Councillors
report that the concerns are raised at
their surgeries.
January 2008
for improved routes for pedestrians
and cyclists were identified by both the
Transport & Accessibility and
Environment workshops held by the
Healthcheck and is reinforced by
findings of the Look at Romsey Study.
To achieve good public transport links,
there needs to be thorough review of
the bus routes within the town to
enable proper circulation by the
population and in particular better
services to the local hospital. This is
part of one of the Vision for Romsey
team’s primary objectives.
There is no single bus route from
Romsey to either hospital in
Southampton. Visiting these hospitals
by car often entails difficulty in parking.
Parking at the major hospitals is
regarded as expensive, as are taxis.
The Good Neighbours Scheme is
staffed by voluntary drivers who use
their own cars for minimal costs.
Without this scheme, many elderly or
disabled people would have serious
problems attending either hospital.
The path from the canal to the railway station
needs maintenance
TVBC and HCC are currently
considering the Cycleway Strategy
document. Implementation is critically
dependent on the support of these two
bodies and will be welcomed by the
residents, as evidenced by written
comments at the January 2007
exhibition.
Paths
Street Scene
The town would benefit from the
upgrading of the paths along the
waterways, and the provision of a new
footpath on the north side of the
railway line avoiding the Sun Arch.
Residents of the town would benefit
from a review of street signage in the
residential areas. Places have been
identified where cycle ways would be
possible and the highway authority
should be encouraged to make better
provision for cyclists.14
The town has a vibrant shopping
centre, but several shop windows and
shop fronts spoil what is otherwise a
very attractive street scene with gaudy
fascia boards and large bold coloured
posters in their windows. On the
whole, branches of multiples are the
worst offenders. If they could be
persuaded to behave in a way that is
appropriate to the small scale of
Romsey, the town centre would be
more attractive.
A review of pavements right across the
town could, with advantage, be
undertaken with a view to identifying
the least satisfactory and then
producing an action programme of
repairs and refurbishment. The need
Some of the residential streets,
particularly those built in the years
soon after the Second World War,
have been rather neglected and in
consequence have become dreary.
There is a need to identify those in this
category, and in consultation with their
residents, to revitalise them and
14
See Cycle strategy and network survey 2003
28
Romsey 2020
smarten them up. Such items as road
surfaces, parking arrangements, street
lighting and trees and shrubs should
all be brought into the equation.
Open Spaces and Meeting
Places
The likely development of part of the
Abbotswood site (a disused gravel pit)
will provide an opportunity to allocate
much of the rest of the site as a public
open space, which is how much of it is
being unofficially used at present.
Indeed the heavy use of it as an
informal space for recreation indicates
the need for such facilities close to
Cupernham and Woodley. Careful
treatment of the site will allow sensitive
management of the environment for
the great crested newts that live there,
as well as providing for leisure space
for humans and living space for
animals.
January 2008
playground equipment in the Fishlake
Meadows grassland. With further
building likely, for example at
Abbotswood, there is a need for a
community hall in the north
Cupernham or Fishlake Meadows
area.
Woodley Village Hall: a heavily used
resource on the eastern outskirts of the
town
Nearby is the substantial wetland
known as Fishlake Meadows, to the
north of Fishlake Meadows road. To
the west of the canal, this area is
undeveloped and has largely reverted
to marsh. There is a case for seeking
to acquire the land as a public open
space. With imaginative management
this place would add to the
opportunities for the people of Romsey
and further afield to walk in open
country. It contains the northern part
of the path beside the Canal and is a
haven for wild birds, insects, water
voles and bats, as well as having a
distinctive flora. The area has not
been farmed for many years and
therefore has not been subjected to
chemical controls for a long time.
There are other pieces of land that
would be enjoyed as public open
spaces if made available, but none are
as obvious as these two.
Many houses have been built recently
to the north of the town with little
provision being made for community
activities, although there is now
29
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Threats
Romsey for lack of suitable
accommodation. One source of threat
to jobs in the area is highlighted in the
Borough Local Plan in the comment
that
Housing
The town suffers from pressures that
are common in South-East England.
The government is insisting that more
houses are built. Local interest groups
then lobby not to have these houses
near them, and the net effect can be
that a series of compromises leads to
the building of small numbers of
houses, which add up to a substantial
number, but without achieving a critical
mass that forces improvements to the
infrastructure. Romsey’s particular
problem is that it is surrounded by a
number of highly protected areas such
as the New Forest National Park, and
therefore is something of an
unprotected oasis, seen as a target by
hopeful developers.
As part of retaining a balanced
community, a wide range of homes is
required, both in size and price. It is
important that affordable housing is
made available, but there also needs
to be a selection of houses for families
who wish to ‘trade up’. For example
there is a considerable shortage of
houses with large rooms. Most
houses, especially newer ones, have
small rooms, with the possible
exception of their lounge.
For the sake of community identity, it
is vital to keep gaps between
settlements, and not let the open
spaces between Romsey and its
neighbours be built over in a large
south Hampshire sprawl.
Employment
It is important that the town keeps its
sources of employment and does not
become a dormitory suburb of
Southampton or Winchester. There is
a need to review what provision of
office and light industrial units is
available, with a view to ensuring that
employers are not forced to leave
Employment uses within the
Borough's towns, villages and
countryside contribute towards the
mix of uses within settlements,
provide valuable opportunities for
jobs close to where people live,
and benefit the local economy. The
loss of land currently in
employment use to alternative
uses can increase existing
problems such as commuting and
the lack of certain types of
employment, particularly
manufacturing. In rural areas, such
sites may be difficult or impossible
to replace.15
Medical provision
Amongst the threats, not exclusive to
Romsey, is the shortage of NHS
dental care. This leaves vulnerable
sections of the population without
proper facilities. The doctors’
surgeries are under pressure of space
in the context of the increasing range
of services that they offer, and there is
a need to provide new
accommodation. However the most
suitable sites are priced for housing,
and therefore the doctors cannot
compete, and may end up in places
that are not particularly convenient for
their patients.
The town feels very vulnerable to
threats to close its community hospital.
Much money has been raised to
provide facilities there and they are
widely used and appreciated. The inpatient facilities are highly spoken of
within the town. Recently the
maternity unit was closed, and
townsfolk are determined not to see
the rest of the hospital follow it to
oblivion.
15
Borough Local Plan 6.5.4
30
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Abbreviations used in the text
Borough Local Plan Test Valley Borough Local Plan 2006
DETR
Department Of The Environment, Transport And The Regions
HCC
Hampshire County Council
LTVAS Group Lower Test Valley Archaeological Study Group
para.
Paragraph
PPG
Planning Policy Guidance Notes
R&DS
Romsey and District Society
RADISH
Romsey and District Information and Support at Home
RAIN
Romsey Area Information Network
RAODS
Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
REPC
Romsey Extra Parish Council
RTC
Romsey Town Council
SINC
Site of Importance for Nature Conservation
SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest
TV
Test Valley
TVBC
Test Valley Borough Council
URC
United Reformed Church
Sources of Information
Burbridge B., editor, The History of Romsey, (LTVAS Group, 2000)
Cycling Strategy and Network Survey 2003 (Romsey Town Council)
Look at Romsey reports (TVBC, 2007)
Maps – see http://maps.google.co.uk/ and go to Romsey
Market Towns Initiative Healthchecks for Romsey (September 2005) available from
TVBC
Environment
Social and Community
Transport and Accessibility
Work and Economy
Merrick P., Walk the Water Ways of Romsey, (R&DS, 2006)
Office for National Statistics, 2001
RomseyNet
http://www.romseynet.org.uk/
Test Valley Borough Local Plan (2006)
See TVBC website (www.testvalley.gov.uk)
31
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Appendix 1 Population
Total population 2001
WARD
Abbey – Romsey Town
Cupernham – Romsey Town
Tadburn – Romsey Town
Romsey Extra
TOTAL
Population at 2001 census
4157
5108
5383
3327
17975
Population distribution by age.
Residents aged 60+ in 2001
Number
1447
961
1089
541
4038
Abbey
Cupernham
Tadburn
Romsey Extra
ROMSEY
SOUTH EAST
ENGLAND & WALES
%
34.81
18.81
20.23
4.33
22.46
21.18
20.87
Residents aged 16 and under in 2001
Number
627
1096
1169
714
3683
19.92%
21.44%
Abbey
Cupernham
Tadburn
Romsey Extra
ROMSEY
SOUTH EAST
ENGLAND & WALES
%
15.08
21.46
21.72
21.46
20.70
19.92
21.44
Social Class of Residents aged 16 and over16
Definitions:
A and B:
C1:
C2:
D:
E:
Higher and intermediate managerial/administrative/professional
Supervisory; clerical; junior managerial/administrative/professional
Skilled manual workers, Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers
Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers
On state benefit; unemployed; lowest grade workers
Ward
Abbey
Cupernham
Tadburn
Romsey Extra
Romsey Totals
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
ENGLAND & WALES
16
AB %
11.3
12.9
10.9
13.4
12.0
26.4
22.0
C1 %
33.8
42.2
41.5
43.2
40.3
32.1
29.7
C2 %
17.2
16.1
16.9
17.4
16.8
14.0
15.1
D%
9.8
7.6
8.2
7.2
8.2
14.1
17.2
E%
27.9
21.3
22.5
18.9
22.7
13.4
16.1
Total Actual
2841
3646
3874
2412
12773
6,232,799
40,666,546
Figures taken from 2001 Census
32
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Chart Comparing Social Status of Adults
45
40
35
Percentage
30
25
Romsey Totals
South East England
England & Wales
20
15
10
5
0
AB %
C1 %
C2 %
D%
E%
Group
Elderly people living alone
Abbey
Cupernham
Tadburn
Romsey Extra
Romsey
SOUTH EAST
ENGLAND & WALES
No. of
households
2,055
2,068
2,153
1,254
7530
Single person pensioner
households
5985
243
273
99
1213
Proportion
29.1%
11.8%
12.7%
7.9%
16.1
14.4%
14.4%
Appendix 2 Natural Environment
SITES OF IMPORTANCE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION (SINC)
Identified by Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) on behalf of Hampshire
County Council, various dates
SU33802030 Burnt Grove
SU33902170 Squabb Wood Meadow
SU37402200 Woodley Grange Eastern
Meadow
SU34002090 Greenhill Meadow
SU37502000 Parkers Moor (& Luzborough
Plantation)
SU341 02340 Rookwood Copse
SU37502240 Ganger Farm Meadow
8U34302240 Palmers/Bulls Copse
SU37602220 Ganger Swamp
SU35502350 Ashley Meadows (1)
SU37602230 Small Copse
8U35702340 Belbin’s Copse
SU37702220 Ganger Wood Meadow
SU36502310 Chivers Land
SU37702390 Hillier’s Arboretum (7 sites)
SU36802030 Beggarspath Wood
SU37802250 Ganger Wood Strip
8U36802040 Beggarspath Wood Meadow
SU37902240 Ganger Wood
SU37302190 Woodley Grange Western
Meadow
SU38102210 Crampmoor Glebe
33
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Appendix 3 Listed Buildings
A. Listed
buildings in
Romsey Town
• Abbey Church of St Mary
(I)
• Middlebridge (I)
The Abbey [north side]
• No.1 (II)
• No.7 (II)
• Nos.11 to 15 (odd) (II)
• Gate piers, walls, railings
and gates enclosing garden
on south side of Nos. 11, 13
& 15 (II)
• Nos.17 & 19 (II)
• Railings and gates
enclosing garden to S of
Nos.17 & 19 (II)
• Nos.21 & 23 (II)
• Nos.25 & 27 (II)
The Abbey [south side]
• No.14 The Grange (II)
• Garden gates to No. 14
Abbey Water
• United Reformed Church.
Gateway to The Abbey (II)
• Nos. 8 & 10 (II)
• Nos. 18 & 20 (II)
• Nos. 22 & 24 (II)
Banning Street
• No. 64 (II)
Bell Street (B3398) [west
side]
• No. 3 (II)
• No. 5 & 7 (II)
• No. 9 (II)
• No. 11 (II)
• No. 13 & 15 (II)
• No. 25 (II)
• No. 27 (II)
• No. 29 & 31 (II)
• East-West wing behind
No.31 along Newton Lane
(II)
Bell Street (B3398) [east
side]
• No. 4 & 6 (II)
• No. 10(II)
• No. 12(II)
• Baptist Church (II)
• Gate piers and flanking
walls to Baptist Church (II)
• No. 24 (II)
• No .26 & 28 (II)
• No. 30 (II)
• No. 32 (II)
Broadwater Road (B3398)
• Broadwater House (II*)
• Railings at Broadwater
House (II*)
Botley Road (A27)
• Nonconformist Chapel
5Cm WNW of Lodge of
Romsey Cemetery (II)
The Causeway
• No. 1 Sadlers Mill (II)
• No. 3 (II)
• No. 5 (II)
• No. 7 (II)
Cherville Street (B3398)
[east side]
• No.21 Clive House (II)
• No. 45 (II)
• Nos. 47 & 49 (II)
• No.51 Hamilton House (II)
• No.55 (II)
• No.57 (II)
Church Court
• King John’s House (I)
Church Lane
• Nos. 30 to 42 (even) (II)
• Folly House (II)
• Folly in garden of the
Vicarage 5Cm W of house
(II)
• Romsey Abbey CE
Primary School (II)
Church Road
• Cherville House, Cherville
Cottage (fronting Mill Lane)
(II)
Church Street (B3398)
[east side]
• Nos. 29 & 31 (II)
• Nos. 33 & 33A, No.35 (II)
• Nos. 37 & 39 (II*)
Church Street (B3398)
[west side]
• No. 2 (II)
• No. 4 (II)
• No. 6 (II)
• No. 8 (II)
• No. 26 (II)
• No. 28 & 30 (II)
• No. 32 (II)
• No. 34 (II)
Cornmarket
• No.1 (II)
• No.3 Tudor Rose PH (II)
Cornmarket (south side)
• No.9 Dolphin (II*)
• No.11 to 15 (odd) (II)
Cornmarket (north side)
• Former Corn Exchange
(II*)
• Fountain before main
entrance to Corn Exchange
(II)
Cornmarket (west end)
• Corn Market Chambers (II)
• Premises to the SE of the
Corn Market Chambers (II)
Cupernham Lane
• Cruck Cottage l0m S of
New House Farmhouse (II)
Greatbridge Road (B3398)
• No.94 Lansdowne Lodge,
nursery garden entrance
portico (II)
• Lansdowne Nursery Estate
boundary wall N and S of
No.94 (II)
The Harrage
• Nos. 3 to 7 (odd) (II)
Holman Drive
• Test House (II)
The Horsefair (B3398)
[north side]
• No. 5 (II)
• Nos. 7 to 11 (odd) (II)
• No. 13 Star Inn PH (II)
The Horsefair (B3398)
[south side]
• Rydal House (II)
The Hundred (B3398)
[south side]
• No. 37 (II)
• No. 47 & 49 (II)
• Nos. 51 to 55 (odd) (II)
• Nos. 71 to 79 (odd) (II)
• No. 93, No. 95 Sawyers (II)
• No. 111 Romsey Police
Station (II)
• Nos. 113 to 121 (odd) (II)
The Hundred (B3398)
[north side]
• No. 10 (II)
• Nos. 18 & 20, No. 20A (II)
• No. 52 Tudor House (II)
• No. 54 to 58 (even) (II)
• No. 70 to 74 (even) (II)
• No. 76 (II)
• Railings at No. 76 (II)
• No. 78 (II)
• No. 80 (II)
• Nos. 82 & 84 (II)
• No. 86 (II)
• No. 88 Wykeham House
(II)
• Coach house adjoining
Wend of No.88 (II)
• No.98 Linden House (II)
• Garden railings, overthrow
and gates to No.98 (II)
• No. 100 Beauchamp
House (II)
Latimer Street [east side]
• No. 11 Judges PH (II)
Latimer Street [west side]
• No. 4 to 10 (even) (II)
• No. 22 (II)
Love Lane
• No. 2 The Old House at
Home PH (II)
Luzborough Lane (A27)
34
Romsey 2020
• Garden Walls, Terrace and
Gazebo immediately S of
Luzborough House (II)
• Luzborough House (II*)
Mainstone
• No. 1 (II)
• Nos. 3 & 5 (II)
• No. 7 (II)
• Casa Bodega (II)
Market Place (B3398)
[south side]
• No. 2 (II)
• No. 3 (II)
• No. 4 (II)
• No. 5 (II)
Market Place (B3398)
[west side]
• No. 7 (II)
• No. 8 & 9 (II)
• No. 10 (II)
• Railings at No. 10 (II)
• No. 11 (II)
Market Place (B3398)
north east side]
• No. 13 Working Men’s
Conservative Club (II)
• No. 14 (II)
• No. 15 (II)
• No. 16 (II)
• No. 17 (II)
• No.18(II)
• White Horse Hotel (II*)
• No. 20 (II)
• No. 21 (II)
• No.22 (II)
Market Place (B3398)
[south east side]
• No. 25 & 26 (II)
• No. 27 & 28 (II)
Market Place
• Statute of Lord Palmerston
(II)
The Meads
• No. 39 Rivermead (II)
Middlebridge Street (north
west side]
• No. 1 & No. 3 (II)
• No. 9 to 13 (odd) (II)
• Nos. 19 & 21 (II)
• No. 23 (II)
• No. 29 (II)
• Nos. 87 & 89 (II)
• No. 91 & 93 (II)
• Nos. 115 & 117 (II)
• Nos. 131 to 135 (odd) (II)
• Nos. 151 & 153 (II)
• No. 177, No. 179 (II)
• Barn to N of No.179 (II)
Middlebridge Street (south
east side]
• Nos. 8 to 12 (even) (II)
• No. 24 (II)
• Nos. 54 to 58 Three Tuns
PH (II)
• No. 60 Clarendon House
January 2008
(II)
• Railings and gates to
No.60 (II)
• No.82 (II)
• Gates and gate piers by
Lodge before drive to
Broadlands (II)
Mill Lane
• The Thatched Cottage (II)
• Burnt Mill (II)
Narrow Lane
• St Joseph’s Convent (II)
Palmerston Street (B3398)
[west side]
• No. 1 (II)
• Nos. 3 to 7 (odd) (II)
• Railings in front of Nos. 5
& 7 (II)
• No.9 Park House (II)
• Piers to N and S and
gateway to N of No. 9 (II)
• Nos. 11 to 17 (odd) (II)
• Nos. 19 & 21 Manor House
(II)
Palmerston House (B3398)
[east side]
• No. 2 (II)
• No. 4 (II)
• Nos. 6 to 18 (even) (II)
• Nos. 20 to 28 (even) (II)
• Nos. 30 to 36 (even) (II)
• Nos. 38 to 52 (even) (II)
Palmerston Street [south
east front]
• Nos. 23A and 23B (II)
• No. 64 Mill Cottage (II)
Portersbridge Street
• No. 2 & 4 (II)
• No. 6 (II)
• Nos. 26 to 30 (even) (II)
St Clements Close
• St Clements (II)
Station Road [south east
side]
• Nos. 11 to 15 (odd) (II)
Station Road [north west
side]
• County Library (II)
• Romsey Railway Station
(II)
• The Malthouse (II)
Winchester Hill
• Chirk Lodge (II)
Winchester Road (A3090)
• No.69 (II)
• Bishop Blaize PH (II)
• No. 28 Crown House (II)
Woodley Lane
• Great Woodley Farmhouse
(II)
B. Listed
buildings in
Romsey Extra
Botley Road (A27)
• No. 172 Luzborough
Cottage (II)
• Milestone 10m NE of
Brooklyn (II)
Broadlands Estate
• Broadlands House (I)
• Pond 50m S of Broadlands
House (II)
• Orangery (II*)
• Urn, 10m SE of Orangery
(II)
• Ha-ha and Bridge (II)
• Walls enclosing the East
Forecourt of Broadlands
House (II)
• Stables N of Broadlands
House (II)
• Dairy House (II)
• Kitchen garden walls,
beside Dairy House, 50m N
of Broadlands House (II)
• Pavilion/generator house
30m NW of Dairy House (II)
• Icehouse 170m NE of
Broadlands House, beside
walled gardens (II)
• Engine House 50m NW of
Broadlands House beside
watercourse (II)
• Red Lodge (II)
Greatbridge Road (A3057)
• Greatbridge House (II)
• Stable Cottage (II)
• Nos. 1, 2 & 3 Greatbridge
Cottages (II)
Luzborough Lane (A27)
• Thatched Cottage (II)
Romsey Road (A3090)
• Pauncefoot (Il)
• Granary 20m SW of
Pauncefoot (II)
• Granary 20m SW of
Pauncefoot (II)
• Granary 30m SW of
Pauncefoot (II)
• Milestone on W side at top
of Pauncefoot Hill (II)
Salisbury Road (A27)
• Milestone 30m W of lay-by
on N side at top of Green
Hill (II)
Southampton Road (A27)
• Milestone to W side of
road 1500m S of
roundabout with A3090 (II)
• Gunville Gatehouse (II)
Winchester Road (A3090)
• Hunters Inn PH (II)
• Milestone 25m NE of
junction with Crampmoor
Lane (II)
35
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Appendix 4 Housing
1. Social housing in Romsey
Type
1 bed bungalows
2 bed bungalows
3 bed bungalows
Bedsits
1 bed flats
2 bed flats
3 bed flats
2 bed maisonettes
3 bed maisonettes
1 bed houses
2 bed houses
3 bed houses
Sheltered bedsits
1 bed sheltered flats
2 bed sheltered flats
Shared ownership houses
Romsey Town
26
8
1
11
89
117
2
12
38
2
70
178
20
69
2
2
Cupernham
8
22
50
6
10
59
-
Woodley
12
18
1
3
36
-
Source: Housing Stock Survey 2002
2. Housing Shortfalls and Surpluses17
a. Private sector housing stock
Romsey Town
1 bed flats
2 bed flats
3 bed flats
1 bed bungalows
2 bed bungalows
3 bed bungalows
4 bed bungalows
1 bed houses
2 bed houses
3 bed houses
4 bed houses
Shortfall
32
59
81
68
224
67
-
Surplus
7
7
4
144
b. Affordable Housing
Romsey Town
1 bed flats
2 bed flats
3 bed flats
1 bed bungalows
2 bed bungalows
3 bed bungalows
4 bed bungalows
1 bed houses
2 bed houses
3 bed houses
4 bed houses
Shortfall
638
231
96
180
148
269
120
8
Surplus
-
3. Prices of houses to buy
Local house prices are not affordable. Based on a report by DTZ average house prices in
Test Valley are £26,000 and flats or maisonettes average at around £169,000.
In 2002, the average household income in Romsey (According to CACI Paycheck™ data)
was £35,000. Assuming a mortgage allowance of 3 x household income, households would
generally only be able to afford £105,000 assuming no other income source. This is lower
than the access prices even for flats in Romsey.
Many households have incomes of £20,000-£25,000 (According to CACI Paycheck™ data),
17
These figures appear to relate to 2002. More recent data has not been obtainable.
36
Romsey 2020
January 2008
and so would struggle even more to afford the cheapest property prices in Romsey.
4. Prices of homes to rent.
In 2002, local rent levels were obtained from the Rent Officer at HCC. Private rent levels will
have increased since then. The following average rent levels were given for Romsey:
1 bed flats: £550 pcm
2 bed flats: £625 pcm
2 bed houses: £650 pcm
3 bed houses: £700 pcm
4 bed houses: £1200 pcm
In terms of affordable rent levels, 33% of net income is considered an acceptable amount to
spend on housing, or 44% during periods of severe house price inflation. A study carried out
as part of Key Worker research showed that people earning a gross annual income of
£20,000-£25,000 would in some cases be spending over 44% of their net monthly income on
rent for flats and almost all cases would be spending over 44% of their net monthly income on
rents for 2 bed houses.
5. Homelessness.
[Are figures available for Romsey and Extra? Those for the whole Test Valley are not
particularly useful for a report on Romsey. Figures for the 6 parishes of the southern planning
area would do as a compromise.]
6. Supported Housing
In Romsey and surrounding area, supported housing is available for elderly people, young
people and people with physical and learning disabilities. The position in 2002 includes:
Abbeyfield Romsey, Mill Lane, Romsey: 10 bedsits with resident manager for older people
Wakeford Court Romsey: 31 x 1 bed flats & 5 bungalows for older people with a non
resident manager, mobile warden and emergency alarm
St Anne’s House, Romsey: 35 x 1 bed flats for older people with a mobile warden and
emergency alarm available.
Gainsborough Court, North Baddesley: 8 x bedsits, 27 x 1 bed flats & 9 bungalows for
older people with a non resident manager, mobile warden and emergency alarm.
Oasis House, Romsey: Supported housing for young people aged 16-25
Mencap Shared House in Romsey for people with a learning disability
In addition, a range of support facilities are available to people in their own home. These
include:
Hyde Housing Association Supported Housing Service (floating support)
Testway Housing Support Service (floating support)
Community Alarm Lifeline
Floating support short term
Community support long term
This provision is currently over subscribed. The services were due to be expanded to meet
extra demand but this is being delayed due to a shortfall in Supporting People funding.
The housing needs survey carried out in 2002, identified a shortfall in the provision of housing
for older people, especially those in the frail elderly category. This is likely to worsen in the
future as the number of older people in the borough is predicted to increase. The housing
needs survey identified a combined requirement for 1,445 units of sheltered accommodation
for older people who currently live in the borough or who may in-migrate to be near family in
Test Valley.
7. Second homes
The position in 2002 for the town wards was
Cupernham:
Tadburn:
Abbey:
3
6
22
37
Romsey 2020
January 2008
8 Vacant homes
[Are figures available for Romsey?18]
9 Affordable homes
[Our committee does not have up to date figures. In any case the list changes frequently.]
Appendix 5 The Working Population
1. Economic rates
Labour market participation rates in Romsey are high – similar to the Test Valley average and
significantly higher than the national average. The figures for Extra have not been supplied.
Economic Activity Rates at 2001
%
Male Female Both
Abbey
86.2
74.2 80.3
Cupernham
89.7
78.7 84.4
Tadburn
86.8
78.1 82.6
Romsey
87.6
77.0 82.4
Test Valley
89.4
77.1 83.5
Great Britain
81.4
70.3 76.0
Source: 2001 Census of Population/NOMIS
2. Average household earnings.
[Can these be identified for Romsey as against the whole of Test Valley?]
Information on Gross Weekly Pay at 2003 shows that while Romsey residents’ GWP was
£505.20 average pay for Romsey jobs is lower, at about £400. Romsey’s residence-based
pay (of £505.20) compares with £543.30 for the Borough.
3. Unemployment figures by length of unemployment
Local unemployment rates in Romsey are low. Unemployment is not a significant issue
locally. [Romsey Extra needed]
Unemployment Rates in Romsey, Test Valley, Hampshire and GB
2001
2003
2005
Male
Female
Both
Male
Female
Both Male
Female
Abbey
1.3
0.7
1.0
1.4
0.6
1.0
1.2
1.1
Cupernham
0.7
0.3
0.6
1.6
0.6
1.1
1.1
0.4
Tadburn
0.9
0.3
0.6
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.1
Romsey
1.0
0.4
0.7
1.2
0.6
0.9
1.0
0.5
Test Valley
1.2
0.5
0.9
1.2
0.5
0.9
1.1
0.5
Hampshire (HEP)
3.0
1.0
2.0
2.1
0.7
1.4
1.8
0.7
%
Both
1.2
0.8
0.3
0.8
0.8
1.3
Source: Office for National Statistics – figures available at January.
4. Youth Unemployment (16-24) at January 2995
%
No.
Test Valley
Male Female
1.8
1.0
100
50
Both
1.4
150
Hampshire
Male Female
2.0
1.1
1375 680
Both
1.6
2055
South East
Male
Female
2.8
1.3
12480 5730
Both
2.1
18210
Great Britain
Male
Female
5.0
2.3
167115 75435
Both
3.7
242550
5. Percentages who commute
[Romsey Extra not available]
Approximately 60% of Romsey’s working age population commutes to work outside the town.
Therefore, it plays an important dormitory role.
18
The Worksheet Q10 only gives figures for the whole valley. What is the position for Romsey and
Romsey Extra?
38
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Percentage of Romsey residents who commute to
work in Romsey/elsewhere at 2001
%
Abbey
Cupernham
Tadburn
Romsey
Work within Romsey
45.5%
39.6%
41.5%
42.2%
Work outside Romsey
54.5%
60.4%
58.5%
57.8%
Source: 2001 Census
6 Analysis of types of employment
[Romsey Extra needed]
%
Abbey
Agriculture
Energy
Engineer
Manufacture
Construction
Distribution
Transport
Banking
Admin
Other Services
Source: ABI 2002
Cupernham
Tadburn
Romsey
Test Valley
0.0%
0.0%
30.4%
5.4%
4.0%
20.2%
1.7%
15.2%
21.5%
1.5%
0.0%
0.0%
2.2%
0.0%
21.5%
32.9%
3.5%
19.3%
12.3%
8.3%
0.1%
0.0%
9.7%
2.9%
7.2%
32.8%
2.8%
21.6%
16.0%
6.8%
0.6%
0.2%
9.2%
6.7%
5.7%
29.1%
7.8%
17.8%
17.8%
5.1%
0.1%
0.0%
5.9%
2.6%
7.1%
35.4%
3.0%
23.1%
15.0%
7.8%
7. Large employers in Romsey19
Company
Roke Manor Research Ltd
Hillier Nurseries Ltd
Waitrose
Paultons Park Ltd
Wessex Medical Equipment Co Ltd
Test Valley Borough Council
No. Employees
400
251+
251+
101-250
101-250
150
Appendix 6 Commercial Property
Information from surveys conducted by Romsey and District Chamber of Commerce for the
Test Valley Borough Local Plan Review in 2002 revealed that of 500 local businesses
surveyed:

22% reported that it was essential and 27% desirable to find more premises in
southern Test Valley.

One third considered that an additional industrial site would meet their needs.
In addition local commercial agents reported that 50 of 200 local business clients were
looking for more space but unable to find suitable premises.
No economic development grants are available from either the Government or Test Valley to
attract investment into Romsey or Test Valley. Other grants may be available for a variety of
specialist policy areas (such as innovation etc) but none are available to attract new
investment into the area. (see www.testvalley.gov.uk - business/grants and funding).
However, the Borough Council offers a Business Incentive Grant worth £500 to new start ups
and existing small businesses creating new jobs for local residents. The Hampshire
19
Employing more than 100 people
39
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Broadband Partnership offers £100 grants for local businesses registering with a provider plus
£200 worth of business training to make the most of doing business on-line.20
Appendix 7 Footpaths and other non-road ways
Number of Footpaths (17)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
FPI
Greatbridge Road (A3057) to Yokesford Hill
FP2
Barge Canal — Winchester Road (A3057) to Canal Walk
FP2
Holman Drive to Priestlands
FP3
Botley Road to Halterworth Lane
FP4
Southampton Road (A27) to Botley Road
FP5* The Meads to Mainstone and Old Salisbury Lane (Test Way)
FP6
The Causeway to Salisbury Road (A27)
FP7
Station Road to Albany Road
FP8
Greatbridge Road (A3057) /Stanbridge Lane (B3084) junction to Greatbridge
FP9
Greatbridge Road (A3057) to Cupernham Lane
FP10 Barge Canal - Old Road to Stockbridge Road (A3057)
FP11 Sandy Lane to Kiln Lane
FP12 Braishfield Road to Jermyns Lane
FP 5
Halterworth Lane to Highwood Lane
FP17 Duttons Road to Fishlake Meadows
FP2O By-pass Road (A27) to Romsey Sports Centre
FP2O* Pauncefoot Hill (A3090) to Ridge Lane (Test Way)
Footpath between Mill Lane and Priestlands (Back Lane) along rear of Cherville
Street, but not a public right of way.
Number of bridleways (NONE)
Number of National Trails (NONE)
• FP5 & FP2O form part of Test Way long distance recreational path
Number of cycle paths (3)
• Canal Walk (Romsey Rail Station to Cupernham Lane)
• The Harrage/Southampton Road (The Hundred to Southampton Road)
• Botley Road (Luzborough to North Baddesley)
Number of byways open to all traffic (BOAT) (NONE)
Appendix 8 Crime and Disorder
Crime statistics for Romsey between 1/9/06 to 31/8/07
These figures relate to beats in the urban part of Romsey. The rural area of Romsey Extra is
included in a beat that incorporates villages to the west of the town and cannot usefully be
extracted.
Year 2006 - 2007
Assault
Burglary in a dwelling
Burglary not in a dwelling
Damage
Drug offences
Indecency
Indecent assault
Obtaining by deception
Other crime
20
159
36
126
400
18
4
9
24
19
Are these grants still available and are the amounts still valid?
40
Romsey 2020
Public Order
Robbery Business
Robbery Personal
Tampering with motor vehicles
Theft
Theft from vehicle
Theft of pedal cycle
Theft of vehicle
TOTAL
January 2008
60
0
3
5
267
96
33
30
1289
41
Romsey 2020
January 2008
Action points under consideration by Romsey 2020
Our current list of objectives and action points was compiled in the summer of 2007. It was a revision
of older lists and will again be amended in the light of changes within the town. Some of the projects
are ones which other people will lead, where we think we can make a positive contribution. Others are
projects where we think we will have to take a lead, either to completion, or as a ‘ginger group’ to
produce the relevant action.
Note: The column headed ‘Groups’ reflects which of the original working parties produced the idea
and items have been colour coded for reference by subject. T&A = Transport and Accessibility; W&E
= Work and Economy; S&C = Social and Community; E = Environmental. The colour coding relates
to the various themes involved.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
Projects
Transport to hospitals
Transport to hospitals
Access to north side platform Romsey Station
Improved road Signage
Improved road Signage
Traffic flow in Town
Better cycleway provision
Improved bus services around Town
Transport for young people
Transport for young people
Achieve balanced community
Improved dental and health care
Youth activities including Youth bar
Improved entertainment and leisure facilities
Better footpaths
Provision of co-ordinated transport
More affordable housing
Better visibility of Romsey’s waterways
Improved visitor information
Better pavement access
Improve look of approach roads into Town
Identify residential streets in need of revitalisation
Better control shop fronts and garage forecourts
Provide footpath and cycle track link between Sun Arch and Station
Better marketing and promotion of Town
Encourage links with local businesses to promote Romsey
Improve Website promotion of Romsey
Groups
T&A
T&A
T&A
T&A,W&E
T&A,W&E
T&A
T&A,S&C
T&A
T&A
S&C
S&C
S&C
S&C
S&C
S&C
S&C
E
E
E
E
E
E,W&E
E
W&E
W&E
W&E
42