NB The redundant leisure centre building is STILL standing. It is becoming increasingly derelict and ever more of an eyesore, and it provides a negative focus for the community. Friends of River Park are pressing for its immediate demolition for safety reasons and to save ongoing maintenance and security costs. We suggest it could be returned to green grass for the time being.
 |
|
The environmental impact of a major development on this site will be serious for the River ltchen and for Winchester. The River Itchen is an iconic chalk stream whose clear water and unique ecology are protected under international regulation. Its wildlife and their habitats are already in danger from pollution. The confluence of the River Itchen streams is just by the Leisure Centre site, and those streams form the site’s perimeter on three sides. An Environment Agency Report commissioned by the Council in 2013 concluded that “At the existing leisure centre location at the River Park site, the dominant flood risk is fluvial flooding from the River Itchen and its associated sub-channels, and this risk is such that flooding is expected to occur on this site, possibly multiple times during the lifetime of the facility. The Environment Agency have indicated that a new design that increased the existing building footprint or the impermeable area within the floodplain would not be appropriate in this location”. The Environment Agency went on to say, “replacing the existing leisure centre buildings with open space might have a beneficial effect on downstream flood risk”. Residents’ concern has been exacerbated by the increase in extreme weather events which we have been experiencing. Flooding is not just a danger in the immediate area around the site but it also threatens low lying properties downstream of the proposed development. The Environment Agency indicated in the map below where the danger zones were likely to be. |
 |
|
Flood Risk Zone map for River Park Site – Reproduced from EA ‘What’s in your backyard?’ Website © Environment Agency 2013 |
|
Of course, the report pre-dates the completion of the Durngate flood defence scheme. However, that never promised to prevent flooding, only to alleviate it. Historic buildings like City Mill are still at risk and the lower part of the City experiences regular flooding. Despite the fact that the land was sold as “a Public Park, for public recreational use” and has been held in trust for that purpose since 1902, and despite a lack of consultation – as well as ignoring the clear advice in the Environment Agency’s report – Winchester City Council is still going ahead with the sale of a significant part of River Park to the University of Southampton. The voices of Winchester residents need to be heard regarding the future of this publicly owned land. PLEASE DONATE to Friends of River Park to help the City retain this valued and valuable asset for public recreation. For further information, and make a donation towards supporting this important legal challenge, visit: www.riverparkwinchester.org |
 |
|
Scan the QR using your mobile phone camera to access our fundraising page. |
0 Comments