Town Centre Car Park Sales

I think my opposition to the sale of town centre car parks is well known, the plans for residential developments on the various sites decreases the number of parking spaces in the town centre considerably and further threatens the viability of town centre businesses.

My colleague Cllr David Smith from Central Ward has obtained the following update on the progress of the sales which I thought might be of interest:

• Terrace Mount - planning application submitted. Revisions to the legal documentation to be finalised.
• Lansdowne Road/Madeira Road (corner of) - conditional contracts exchanged, planning application awaited. Boundary issue with the Police HQ still causing problems and Counsel's advice has been sought. This is expected 20th April.
  
• Priory Road - marketing concluded, preferred bidder identified, and solicitors instructed.
  
• Madeira Road East & West - consultation has been completed on a draft planning brief. Cabinet will be asked to approve a revised brief at the end of April.
  
• Leyton Mount - consultation has been completed on a draft planning brief. Modifications introduced to respond to proposals to remove on-street car parking from Christchurch Road mean that some public car parking is to be retained on the Leyton Mount site to accommodate this displaced demand. Cabinet will be asked to approve a revised brief at the end of April.
  
• Glen Fern - consultation has been completed. Cabinet will be asked to approve a revised brief at the end of April.
  
• Durley Road - a draft planning brief has been produced and public consultation undertaken. This identified concern about the impact of the loss of parking from Durley Road on local hotels and a revised brief has been produced, which will be subject to further public consultation in due course.
  
• West Hill - a draft planning brief has been produced and public consultation undertaken. A revised brief has been produced as a result of comments received, which will be subject to further public consultation in due course.
  
• Central - a draft planning brief has been completed and Cabinet will be asked to approve public consultation in the summer.
  
• Berry Court - a draft planning brief has been completed and Cabinet will be asked to approve public consultation in the summer.
  
• Richmond Hill - a draft planning brief is being prepared and proposals will emerge in due course.
  
• 10 St Stephens Road - a draft planning brief is being prepared and proposals will emerge in due course.