Retford: County Council will debate solution to parking issue

Proposals which could see 67 car parking spaces created at the Retford Leisure and Post-16 Centres will be considered by Notts County Council later this month.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2014, 12:00 BST

The council is proposing a solution to the lack of dedicated car parking space for users, which would see parking allocated towards the rear of the existing centres.

Members of the public have been using part of the council-owned land as an unofficial overspill car park.

However, the land has been earmarked for redevelopment for a number of years and the council is keen to press ahead with this to help fund its ambitious capital programme – including new school buildings and highway improvements.

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Although the council has no formal responsibility to provide additional car parking space, it recognised that redevelopment could displace motorists using its land.

This could have led to an increase in demand for on-street parking in the immediate area and negatively impact local residents.

For the last two months the council has been involved in discussions with a variety of interested parties, including the preferred developer and other public sector partners.

Coun David Kirkham, chairman of finance and property committee, said: “We believe the solution we have come up is a sensible compromise as it still allows the former school site to be redeveloped, whilst creating additional car parking spaces to meet demand.”

“The council has a duty to taxpayers to achieve the maximum value from land sales and our capital programme for improved schools, roads, transport and other facilities depends upon it.”

“However, we have to strike a balance between raising the funds we need and the impact our decisions could potentially have on the communities we serve.

“This demonstrates that we are committed to listening to the concerns of local people.”

“Whenever a change or compromise is possible, we will always try our best to find it.”

The new proposals for the land between West Carr Road and Ordsall Road will be discussed at the next meeting of the finance and property committee meeting on 16th June.

If the proposals are approved, they will be subject to a public sector partner agreeing to part-fund the changes and agreement of the operator of the centres.

Plans for the redevelopment of the former Ordsall Hall Comprehensive School site will also be subject to planning permission by Bassetlaw Council.

Related topics:Proposals