ANGRY residents say a plan to sell off the Bridge Street car park site is a "kick in the teeth for Stourport."

The Stourport Civic Society has said the "critical" site, which was previously slated to be redeveloped into a gateway to the historic canal basins, has "massive potential" for the town.

The group has said the site is “key” to improving the vitality and attractiveness of the town centre and could create a “vital link” to the basins. 

But, Wyre Forest District is now consulting on closing the temporary car park and selling off the land after failing to find a "viable development." The council acquired the land from Lloyds Garages more than a decade ago.

Andrew Booton, chairman of Stourport Civic Society, said residents feel "betrayed," fearing the sale would "destroy" hopes of developing a gateway in the future. 

He said: “Wyre Forest District Council’s disposal of Bridge Street Car Park is a kick in the teeth for Stourport.

“Stourport has become accustomed to being let down by Wyre Forest District Council.

"The Bridge Street and Basins scheme was the only redevelopment proposed for Stourport, compared to several for Kidderminster".

“If Wyre Forest District Council sells off this land, they will destroy all chances of improving Bridge Street and the Basins for decades, and will lose their important stake in influencing the town’s development.

"They undermine the hard work of Stourport Town Council on the Stourport Future project to strengthen the town centre.

"They undermine the efforts of Stourport Forward and the Heritage Port Group to conserve and interpret our waterways heritage. Everyone is pulling in the same direction – except Wyre Forest District Council.

"We call on Wyre Forest District Council to suspend their consultation and sale, and to join the Civic Society, Town Council, Stourport Forward, the Heritage Port Group and the Canal & River Trust at the table to find a better and potentially more successful outcome for everyone.”

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, planning and the green agenda, said that it's "disappointing" that a development hasn't been secured and that the site is "not sustainable" in its current form.

He said: "We have tried many times to secure a viable development on the site which was acquired by the Council over 15 years ago by agreement with the previous owners.

"That has not been possible and we are now looking to sell it. It is disappointing but market forces over many years have not been favourable, developers have not been forthcoming, and this site is not sustainable for the council in its present form.

"Analysis of our ticket sales shows that the car park, which was intended to be temporary, is not being used to its capacity and many of those who are using it have moved from other car parks in the town where there are still spaces. 

"As the temporary planning permission for the site’s use as a car park expires next February, this is the right time to undertake this consultation.

"Our consultation runs until Wednesday 13 November and is open to any interested person or organisation to respond.

"We will carefully consider all responses received, including the civic society’s, in deciding whether or not to remove the temporary car park from the car parking order, which is the sole focus and purpose of the current consultation.

He added: We understand that some residents may feel that Stourport has not benefited directly from the £40m in UK Government funded schemes such as the Future High Streets Fund and the Levelling Up Fund.

"The reason for this is that a formal adopted Vision for Stourport-on-Severn was not available at that time.

"We are currently working with the Government’s High Street Task Force and Stourport Town Council to develop and implement a vision for the regeneration of Stourport town centre.”

The Shuttle reported in August 2020 that Wyre Forest District Council’s plans to build three-storey accommodation to house homeless people at the site were rejected by their planning committee.

Stourport Civic Society will be hosting a public meeting tonight (Thursday, November) at 7pm at Stourport Community Centre on Lickhill Road.

Those who wish to object to the council's plans, the objection together with the grounds for making it must be made in writing to the Solicitor to the Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF not later than 4pm on 13 November 2024.