WINCHESTER'S RIVER PARK

Many of you will be aware that Winchester City Council (WCC) proposes to pass on the site of the redundant River Park Leisure Centre to the University of Southampton as part of a very, very long lease. It is clear that many of Winchester’s residents agree that the Council’s behaviour in disposing of this publicly-owned land, without any consultation and in apparent breach of the duty of trust they owe the public, is wrong. Friends of River Park challenged the decision but we were refused leave by the High Court to mount a full judicial review.

However, our first salvo was successful and it compelled WCC to change course to bring themselves within the law. In the High Court they were also forced to make a commitment to act lawfully from now on. They still have hurdles to cross and we intend to keep them up to the mark in every step they take with regard to this precious piece of public land. Sadly, we incurred considerable legal costs and we need funding to continue our work.

If WCC proceeds with their plan, they will hand over control of an important part of the park that currently forms a vital part of the city's main green artery, running from Winnall Moors Nature Reserve to St Cross. The area under immediate threat is bounded on three sides by the River Itchen and includes the now boarded up remains of the old Leisure Centre, which is increasingly derelict and urgently needs to be knocked down and replaced by green grassland until the public can have a say in what happens next. We will actively pursue the demolition of the building as it is an eyesore, a health & safety issue, a magnet for antisocial behaviour and vandalism and it will continue to cost the taxpaying residents of Winchester £80,000 per annum to keep it as it is.

We all need access to green space, natural history and wildlife corridors and also to the many activities available to the wide group of people who use this extraordinary, wide green area which runs alongside the River Itchen. In order to protect it, we are now extending the ambit of our operation to the whole of the Recreation Ground to ensure that it is properly maintained and managed by WCC and that no inappropriate development is allowed to take place. The cricket pitches and nets require protection and the pavilion desperately needs replacing. The paths and roads are currently being used by electric scooters and motor bikes (being ridden at speed) and some areas of the park are being overused by ball players which renders them waterlogged, muddy and dangerous. Large events like this year's Bonfire Night leave behind a mess which hasn't yet been tackled by WCC, despite persistent requests for action.

The whole area of 32 hectares currently has the legal protection of a Covenant, dating from 1902 when the then owner passed the land to WCC, restricting the use to 'public recreation and open space' for the benefit of residents and visitors. The area also has the statutory protection of the Public Health Act, 1875 and Local Government Act, 1972.

Sited adjacent to the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve, River Park is a priceless asset to the City and (apart from the Leisure Centre site) it is currently available to all who wish to use it.

There is concern that, under WCC's plans, a major part of the adjoining car park is allocated for private use, thus encroaching on a key part of the open park and permanently restricting access to all who currently use and enjoy the area.

Please would you consider supporting us by donating to our continuing campaign.

For further information | Website: riverparkwinchester.org | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverParkWinchester