Havant Borough Council confirms commitment to Waterlooville Regeneration after concerns raised by the public

The council have reaffirmed their commitment to a town's regeneration after concerns were raised at a public meeting.

Havant Borough Council and Hampshire County Council held a meeting over the regeneration of Waterlooville town centre, the first one to take place since news of the project’s delay was confirmed in January.

At the meeting on Wednesday, May 27 residents voiced concerns over the management of the project and how it had been originally costed. Work was initially scheduled to begin in January this year however following a funding gap, it was delayed to February 2026 with further funds being allocated by the council in February as part of its budget.

The delay has led to some residents becoming pessimistic over the prospect of the regeneration going ahead with work on the project initially beginning in November 2023.

At the meeting a member of the public asked what impact the upcoming local government reform (LGR) would have on the work starting but Havant Borough Council reaffirmed its commitment to the regeneration.

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A Havant Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Waterlooville Regeneration scheme remains a committed project, with funding confirmed through Havant Borough Council’s capital programme, approved as part of the 2026/27 budget at February’s Full Council.

“In March, Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council signed a funding agreement, affirming both parties’ commitment to delivering the project within the agreed timescales.

“A public meeting was held on May 27, with the main aim of updating the community on progress. This included details of the timeline between now and construction, which is scheduled to commence February 2027.”

Cllr Gwen Robinson for the Waterloo ward was at the meeting having been “incredibly dissapointed” after hearing news of the delay earlier this year.

She said: “I think what residents really wanted to hear is that this project will actually happen. I’m not the most patient either, and I was incredibly disappointed that having been told the project would begin in January this year, that it is now February next year.

“I just want to see our town back to something like it used to be, which is a vibrant community space. Without a doubt when the project is completed the transformation will make a huge difference.”

Cllr Robinson added: “We are at the end of May, February in a great sense is not too far away and I felt assured even with LGR, my fears were put to bed on the assurances that it would still happen in February and I have to take the expertise of the officers viewpoint and their knowledge.”

The public chose their preferred design for the public realm in February 2025 which featured improvements including new seating, greenery, and better accessibility to create a “safer, more attractive and welcoming space for residents, visitors, and businesses”. Following detailed design work the overall project costs came in much higher than initially forecast leading to the delay.