AN application has been lodged to make Bridge Street Car Park an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to help protect the land at risk of being sold off.
The former Lloyds Garage site in Stourport has been used as a temporary car park since Wyre Forest District Council acquired the land more than a decade ago, with plans to redevelop the site into a gateway to the historic basins.
The council has recently revealed it plans on closing the temporary car park and selling off the land after failing to find a "viable development" for the site.
Andrew Booton, chairman of Stourport Civic Society, said that it would be a "kick in the teeth" for residents, fearing the sale would "destroy" hopes of developing a gateway in the future.
Now, the civic society has applied to make the car park an ACV.
Mr Booton said: "Stourport Civic Society has proposed Bridge Street Car Park be accepted as an Asset of Community Value to demonstrate and give weight to the public's interest in this land, and in its development for the benefit of the town.
"Wyre Forest District Council has sat on this site for almost a decade and a half, and in that time has done nothing to further its redevelopment.
"Now it wants to sell off the site, against the wishes of the people of Stourport. In doing so, it threatens the whole redevelopment of the historic canal basins, and undermines efforts to improve the vitality of the town centre.
"ACV status will go some way to helping restore the influence of the people over this site".
A spokesperson for Wyre Forest District Council said: "The application is being considered against the statutory criteria and a decision about whether or not to accept the application will be taken and notified in due course".
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.
"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.”
Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier says he is "disappointed" the local authority plans to sell the land.
Reacting to the plans, Mr Garnier said: "The original proposals were exciting and would have provided a fantastic visitor draw for this historic town.
"But for one reason or another, these ambitions have been replaced by poor alternatives and I am disappointed the council has decided to sell up, rather than continue to work for a vibrant and enticing entrance to our canal basins".
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