Archived decisions

WINCHESTER PARK-AND-RIDE CAR PARK, BAR END - PHASE 2

Work on Phase 2 of the Winchester Park-and-Ride car park at Bar End finally got underway on 23 June 2003 following a judgement on 14 May 2003 by the Court of Appeal in favour of the County Council, overturning a previous High Court judgement. The approval for the £2.5m scheme was granted by the Environment Committee in June 2001 but unfortunately a number of legal challenges by objectors to the scheme substantially delayed the planned start of the works.

A number of other costs totalling some £0.3m, not anticipated at the time the project was originally approved have increased the overall cost of the scheme and additional funding of £992,000 was required. These costs arise from additional site surveys, studies and legal expenses associated with the legal challenges; heightened site security expenses as a result of protestors' actions; the purchase of land in addition to the mitigation land required at Magdalene Hill Down; funding required to return the land to chalk grassland; extensive consultation undertaken throughout the scheme and the general management of the project. The protestors' who had an encampment at the site have now left following a court ruling on 16 December 2003.

The scheme is key to preserving the environment and allows for a balance to be struck in respect of a range of competing pressures to provide people with a safe, reliable and affordable alternative to using their cars when making trips in and out of Winchester. In addition, the scheme will offer many benefits to local businesses, traders and residents.

A decision was taken in pursuance of Aim 2 and 3 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the environment and Achieving economic prosperity), to recommend the virement of £992,000 to this project on 13 January 2004. This virement was made up of £450,000 Developers' Contributions and £542,000 from the County Council's On-Street Parking Reserve, which can only be spent on parking measures.