🏊‍♂️ RIVER PARK LIDO — WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Winchester City Council is proposing to dispose of the former River Park Leisure Centre site to Sea Lanes, which is behind the successful lidos at Brighton and Hilsea.

On one view, this could be positive for the city bringing the long-derelict site back into use with a new outdoor swimming facility, splash pad and additional community facilities, which sound very attractive. However, this land is still owned by the public and the Council will have to go through complex legal steps in order to transfer it into private ownership and break the statutory trust and a covenant. They want to lease it for a 250-year period, which means we lose control.

There are two decision-making committees (Scrutiny and Cabinet) due to meet this September before the Council commits to the long-term disposal of this publicly owned site.

Ahead of this decision, residents and councillors will want to raise some important questions. For example:

What is the financial deal for the tax payers of Winchester -Were other competing bids received and how did Sea Lanes win the competition?

What happens if the lido is not financially successful? Who carries the risk if the operator gets into difficulties or the facility closes? Should the site actually be disposed of or leased by the council or are there better ways of regenerating it if it is retained in public ownership?

What safeguards are there over prices, community access and accessibility? And, most importantly, will the flood risk be mitigated? The water table lies less than 1m below the surface and it is a Zone 3 flood risk (the highest).

What will be the impact on the River Itchen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation? It surrounds the site on three sides and its confluence is immediately adjacent to the site.

How securely are the skate park and indoor bowls facilities protected?

What happens in the future if the use changes or the operator changes?

What will be the impact on parking, traffic and events around River Park particularly with the closure of St Peter’s car park?

Is there a better site available for a lido in Winchester (for instance near to Bar End, where there is lots of parking and access is much more straightforward)?