PLANS to transform the south of Romsey town centre are to take the next step later this month with the start of the second stage of the consultation.

Last year, more than 1,500 people of all ages gave their thoughts and ideas on how to improve the area around the bus station and Crosfield Hall.

Now, the Romsey Future partnership, together with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) is to launch the next consultation which will discuss what may work.

The views of residents, visitors and businesses will be put into a 'draft masterplan' and will be unveiled within the next few weeks.

Ideas discussed at the first stage included the future of Crosfield Hall, making the area more pedestrian friendly and making the most of the waterways.

The next stage will build upon those ideas and explain what has been taken on board and what may not work for Romsey.

Chair of Romsey Future, councillor Nick Adams-King, said: "We were clear from the outset that the views of residents and businesses would be key to driving the way forward in looking at what might work for this area.

"Having reviewed the feedback from residents on what was a completely blank canvas to start with, we have now tested their ideas and have identified a shortlist we feel would be workable. This is where we need the thoughts of the public once again to tell us what they would like to see from the ideas that have now been pulled together."

Next month, two citizens' assemblies will be held on how to maximise the area south of the town centre - with fifty residents chosen at random which will be given the key facts and figures to help make a series of recommendations.

Cllr Nick Adams-King added: "Together with the Citizens’ Assembly that is being held next month, we are hoping to get the best possible outcome for the town.

"We want to maximise the benefit to Romsey while keeping the character that makes Romsey so special and that’s what this project is all about."