Warwick District Council accused of 'stealing' historic land to make way for car park expansion

[dutchman]

A community group has accused Warwick District Council of 'stealing' part of a historic park - to make way for a council car park



Leamington's historic Victoria Park is at risk of losing land so a car park can be extended.

Archery Road, near the bottom of Victoria Park, already has some spaces, but to maximise the spaces available, trees on the west side of the Archery Road site would be cut down.

Over 20 of the trees - which are all mature are set to be given the chop if the plans are approved.

There have been over 100 objections from people across the area, as well as national organisations.

The group, Friends of Victoria Park, claim the Council wants their Planning Committee to ignore the effect of siting a commuter car park in Victoria Park next to a quiet residential area.

David Adams, Chair of local community group Friends of Victoria Park, said: "Warwick District Council is stealing part of Leamington’s Historic Victoria Park to create a new municipal car park.

“The area selected for the car park is rough land well inside the boundary of the Park, but the Council is claiming that it's already a municipal car park ripe for "improvement". "

He claimed: "This is so it can be part of their "displacement parking" strategy whilst they move to a new HQ in the middle of the town.

"The truth is that, 25 years ago, the land was used for tennis courts. Now it’s used mostly in the summer for parking by park users – especially bowlers, young families and dog walkers.

"The Council seems to have ignored all its own policies for parks and green spaces, and hasn’t specifically sought the views of local park users or local bowlers."

David claimed planning committee members would only be allowed to consider the application in narrow terms meaning many objections would be disregarded.

"They are telling local retailers the 65 spaces are for town workers, but not that it will make the town less friendly to hundreds of bowlers - who help make Leamington 'the home of English bowls' fit for the 2022 Commonwealth Games – and hundreds of visitors who love the play and recreation available in Leamington’s largest open green space.

"WDC is paying £200,000 to improve the Park's facilities, and at the same time proposes to spend £100,000 on a car park that will damage it permanently.

"Friends of Victoria Park are demanding that the Council withdraws the planning application right now and reconsiders it properly, and consults those who would be affected."

[Jock Strapp]

A car park makes money for the council. A park costs them...Simple.

[dutchman]

Trees saved as controversial car park expansion is refused



Leamington's historic Victoria Park was at risk of losing land so a car park could be extended.

There were over 100 objections from people across the area, as well as national organisations and, following a council planning meeting, the car park extension was refused by councillors.

The proposed tree destruction, and its impact on the already poor air quality in Leamington, was also strongly criticised despite the planners’ assertion that the trees were “not of particular value”.

Although the proposal has been refused, and the community group is pleased, they expect there to be a resubmission.

David Adams, chairman of Friends of Victoria Park, said: "We are pleased that this damaging proposal has been sent back.

"We expect that another version will emerge in the new year, possibly with fewer car spaces and less tree destruction, with a different regime for parking charges and even with a proposal that cars exit into Adelaide Road.

“We have been told that the verdict on our complaint should be forthcoming within 20 working days.

"It will be crucial that any new proposal respects the integrity of the historic Victoria Park, the interests of the many young families, dog walkers and elderly bowlers who derive pleasure and health from the park, and the amenity of the quiet residential neighbourhood that borders on the park”.

Brunswick district councillor Kristie Naimo, speaking on behalf of the ward councillor, said: “I’m glad to see the planning committee respond to the concerns of the public - especially over the unnecessary loss of mature trees in a public park.

“I do hope that any further proposals will take on board the comments made by the Friends of Victoria Park and others for improvements to any amended scheme that may be submitted”.