THE next stage in the plans for a university to take over a former leisure centre will be revealed in September, the council leader has said. 

Tory councillor Stephen Godfrey asked for an update on the University of Southampton's plans for the former River Park Leisure Centre at Winchester City Council's recent full meeting. 

Cllr Godfrey was unable to attend the meeting on July 16, but council leader Martin Tod provided a written response. 

Cllr Godfrey said: “It is now halfway through the five-year period agreed for the University of Southampton to develop and share their proposals for the River Park Leisure Centre site. 
There has been no public indication of these proposals, even during the listening event at the beginning of last year. Given how long public engagement and planning development on such important sites takes in Winchester, when does the portfolio holder expect a clear milestone plan to be published leading to the submission of a planning application?”

Former River Park Leisure Centre (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Council faces criticism over the state of River Park Leisure Centre

Cllr Tod said: “I met the vice-chancellor of the University of Southampton in May at their annual event to mark the progress of the university’s civic partnerships over the last year. We agreed to meet again in September to discuss next steps on the University of Southampton’s investment plans in Winchester.”

The River Park Leisure Centre has lain empty for several years since the opening of the new sports centre at Bar End. 

It is part of the site that the city council proposes to dispose of to the university as it expands its nearby School of Art campus in Park Avenue.

Local campaigners want the site to be retained as a public space, arguing the area was left to the city for public recreation in the early 20th century.