Retford: Campaign to stop overspill car park being built on

Residents say the car park at the Retford Leisure Centre and Post-16 Centre is regularly full and there would be traffic chaos in the surrounding streets if it were lost to a development.

A planning application for new houses and apartments to be built on the site has recently expired.

Notts County Council , which owns the site, has received an offer from a housing developer for it.

A local resident action group is concerned about the loss of parking spaces which would be caused by any development.

County councillor Ian Campbell said the car park, which has spaces for 125 vehicles, is completely full at least two to three times a week.

He fears that if it is developed on then motorists will park on nearby residential roads.

He said: “The car park is used for the leisure centre and Post 16 Centre and also for big events such as the Retford Half Marathon.”

“If the car park isn’t here then it might deter people from coming into Retford.”

A petition containing 2,312 signatures has already been submitted to the county council.

Coun Campbell is taking resident and Post 16 Centre students to Nottingham to speak against the plans at the council’s finance and property committee on 24th March.

Jas Hundal, service director for transport, property and environment at the county council, said: “We are aware of the concerns about parking provision for Retford Leisure Centre and Post-16 Centre.”

“However, the land in question, which is owned by the county council, has never been designated or authorised as an overspill car park. It has been earmarked for development for some time, prior to construction of the Leisure Centre and Post-16 centre.”

“The county council has received an offer for the land from a housing developer, which it will consider at its meeting on 24th March.”

“We have a duty to taxpayers to realise the maximum value from land sales, which raise valuable funds to be reinvested in capital projects such as the new Worksop Bus Station, school buildings and roads.2

“However, we remain in discussions with all parties regarding a solution to the potential parking issues, which will be considered as part of the committee’s decision.”