‘Vital’ town centre car park in Wisbech under-threat of demolition

Councillors are among those objecting to plans to demolish a prominent town-centre car park to make way for a new supermarket.

Newriver Retail (Wisbech) Ltd which owns the Horsefair Shopping Centre in Wisbech has applied to demolish the multi-storey car park that adjoins the centre.

A planning statement in support of the application which seeks to find out whether prior approval is needed on how the car park is demolished before work begins explains how the demolition will be carried out.

It explains the car park, which has room for 360 cars, is independent to the Horsefair Shopping Centre and the demolition will not involve any of the other buildings.

But local councillors are calling for the application to go before Fenland’s planning committee amid fears the loss of the “vital” car park will be detrimental to the town centre.

The planning statement explains when the work is undertaken water suppression cannons will be used to ensure dust is kept to the required limits. It will also be carried out in accordance with noise restrictions.

And adds: “Where noisy works are being carried out, consideration for the timings of these works will be made by the principal contractor. Noise risk assessments will be carried out, to ensure that noise levels for both workers and the public remain below the levels required.”

Three councillors have voiced their concerns over the plans.

District ward councillor Steve Tierney led the charge of opposition and wants Fenland’s planning committee to make the decision rather than allowing officers to use their delegated powers.

He said: “I am opposed to this application. The parking is absolutely vital for users of the town and Horsefair Shopping Centre.

“My concerns are as follows: Firstly, that the parking will be lost, to the great detriment of all the businesses in the close area.

“Secondly, the demolition may be against the original planning application that built the Horsefair shopping centre. Although I haven’t seen those documents as they were years before my time, I feel sure that parking provision must have played a key part.

“Thirdly, we have no certainty as to what the space would be used for if they went ahead with demolition.

“It could stay as an empty building lot for years, becoming an eyesore, a danger, a magnet for antisocial behaviour.

“Although the applicants have suggested it might be for the building of a new supermarket, there is no guarantee this would actually proceed. I struggle to see how a supermarket could succeed with no very close parking, given the competition from other supermarkets.”

His sentiments were echoed by Councillors Sam Hoy and Susan Wallwork.

A number of residents have also raised objections among them was Angela Nixon, who said: “Free parking is currently an asset to the community visiting the town centre.

“Currently there are many empty units in the Horsefair, some previously used for the purpose of a food store. It would seem appropriate to re-purpose these existing buildings rather than demolish the existing car park.”

Christina Hatcher said: “Why demolish a perfectly good car park that has decent access to the town for people with walking disabilities, disabled who need close access? There are enough shops in Wisbech that stand empty and can be utilised and built on.

“This action is only going to further derelict the town and cause more shops to shut. The shop will be built and then shut down in a year when they can't sustain the costs.”

Elizabeth McManus said: “I strongly object to the demolition of the Horsefair car park. It makes no sense at all. There is a need for a car park for people to access the shops, particularly the ones in the Horsefair. Also the bus station is there. People using buses park there. It would be a great detriment to the town.”