Campaigners have been rebuffed in an appeal to derail multi-million-pound plans for land surrounding River Park Leisure Centre - but they insist the fight is far from over.
On Wednesday, October 12, the High Court refused The Friends of River Park permission for a judicial review of the decision the city council made in March 2022 about selling the leisure centre and part of the surrounding area to Southampton University.
The request for a judicial review had already been refused permission in August, and this decision was upheld on Wednesday by Ed Miliband’s wife, Mrs Justice Thornton, after a hearing at the High Court, which found that the process for the decision was legally correct. The council has also been awarded £5,000 in costs.
The Chronicle understands the Friends met last night to discuss an application for leave to the Court of Appeal as they believe the latest ruling was wrong on 'several counts'.
Members insist they are "determined" to continue the challenge but now face a greater need than ever for additional fundraising.
A spokesperson for the group said: "Unfortunately, our renewed application on October 12 for leave to present the case for a judicial review in the High Court was not granted.
"However, undaunted, the Friends intend to continue the challenge. The support we have received has been very encouraging. It is clear that many of Winchester’s residents agree that the council’s behaviour in disposing of the River Park Leisure Centre site, without any consultation and in apparent breach of the duty of trust they owe the public, is wrong."
Cllr Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, said: “We have always been confident that the decision to allow the University of Southampton the space and time to look into developing their Winchester campus on the former River Park Leisure Centre site was sound, and I’m pleased that the judge has reaffirmed this.
"I now look forward to the University working closely with local people to shape the future of this site as they share and develop their plans for an extended campus.
"Winchester has a long history of learning and innovation and these first steps could mark the beginning of an exciting phase of investment that will benefit the whole district.
"The proposal makes use of the site of the old building and part of the car park. This confirms, once again, that the decision we took leaves the green space and play area we all love, wholly untouched and fully protected for public use."
As a result of the Friends’ challenge, they say the council has made significant concessions:
- They insist it has committed to advertising the whole site, not just the Indoor Bowls Club and Skatepark but also the redundant Leisure Centre and the North Walls car park;
- They have also committed to a complex legal procedure that they need to follow in order finally to dispose of the site;
- Before they take the next step, they accept that they will have to hold a proper public consultation exercise, to provide evidence that the land is no longer required for the purpose for which it is held (as a public park for public recreation), and to consider any objections received.
On behalf of the Friends, Rose Burns said: “We are determined to make the council think again about this valuable, publicly owned piece of land in Winchester’s city centre.
"The public needs to have a say in what should happen next. No one wants to see the neglected building fall further into disrepair over the five-year period given to the University.
"The council should either recommission it or else demolish it now, so it can continue to be used for public recreation."
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