Plans to 'expand and improve' facilities at Warwick Boat Club get green light

There were concerns about parking in the area
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Extensive plans to improve facilities at Warwick Boat Club have been approved by councillors even though they are concerned about lack of parking at the riverside premises.

Members of Warwick District Council’s planning committee this week [WED] highlighted existing issues in the area but were told that a parking management plan had been drawn up by club bosses.

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Alterations to the club, which is sandwiched between the river and Mill Street, will see additional tennis and squash courts created and a replacement boat building but the number of car park spaces for the 1,200 members will reduce from 32 to 30.

Warwick Boat Club. Photo by Google StreetviewWarwick Boat Club. Photo by Google Streetview
Warwick Boat Club. Photo by Google Streetview

Part of the parking plan suggests using the neighbouring St Nicholas Park car park but this idea was questioned by some of those at the meeting.

Cllr David Norris (Con, Bishop’s Tachbrook) said there were already parking issues along nearby residential streets.

He added: “St Nick’s car park is full all through the summer and I don’t think the parking plan is sufficient.

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"I have grave concerns for the residents of Bridge End and unless there is some sort of residents’ permit put in I think we are going to have some serious problems with parking.

"People don't want to pay and they will go for free parking.

“This is a leisure facility and should have provision for suitable access and parking.

"I think it will be a great development but we have to look after the other residents, the workers and those that use all the facilities at St Nick’s Park.”

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And those worries were echoed by Cllr Terry Morris (Con, Warwick Saltisford) who said: “Suggesting people park in St Nicks Park isn’t practical, it’s not particularly safe to get across the road from there.

“There isn’t enough parking on site.

"Once planning permission has been granted, what recourse is there to ensure that traffic management plan has been implemented?”

A report outlining the improvements explained that there had been nearly 40 letters of objection covering matters including parking, highway safety and the impact on the area’s heritage assets.

The report added that there were no objections from key consultees including Warwickshire highways and Historic England.

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Outlining some of the structural changes in the plans, principal planning officer Helena Obremski said: “The existing squash court building is of poor architectural quality and provides an incongruous feature on the site.

"The replacement is designed to be a modern addition with a glass link between the old and new development.”

Eight councillors voted in favour of the scheme with two voting against.