Proposed Disposal

Winchester City Council proposes to dispose of a large section (around 17% or almost 4.5 acres) of North Walls Recreation Ground, or River Park, (former leisure centre, skate park, Indoor bowls club and majority of the current car park), without any public consultation and with an agreement which may turn out to be unlawful.

Winchester City Council does not own this land, but merely acts as a trustee for the residents of Winchester. If the disposal is successful, this will deny the people of Winchester rights over the land which has been publicly owned and protected for the public’s recreational use since 1902.

A large proportion of the proposal site is dedicated to car parking for users of River Park Recreational Ground. The proposed northern car park area (to which access is not clear) is totally inadequate to meet those engaging in activities such as rugby, football, tennis, cricket, the junior and senior Park Runs, the canoe club, the indoor and outdoor bowls club, the skatepark, and informal recreation such as dog-walking and ball games. To say nothing of the large-scale events enjoyed by a wide audience: four festivals have been held there this year and the Annual Round Table Fireworks display, which is Winchester’s biggest charity event, is held in the park, as are many runs for charities such as the Race for Life event and the finish point of the Winchester half marathon, and triathlon.

Proposed disposal area is highlighted in red. This accounts for around 17% of the total site area and almost all car parking facilities for the total River Park site.