This was copied from the Protect Perdiswell Park (PPP) web site
The pool and stadium - together! The good, the bad and the questionable...
The swimming pool plans were on show last night (Weds) at the Leisure Centre. The publicity about this event was not great. Leaflets were only delivered to maybe half the local houses they were meant to reach and the Project Manager, Mr Savory was very cross and apologetic.
Just to remind you, the pool building will be built off the south end of the current building, extending towards the road. The entrance and cafe will be very roughly where the golf shop is now. The rest of the building gets refurbed extensively. A big car park from building to near the canalside will leave a reasonable triangle of green in the corner by the lock. The building a car park was all that was on show, not the roads, crossings, bus route improvement etc. I cannot find any plans online but I have left a comment on the Council website. If you have a comment or question, we were invited to e-mail richard.savory@worcester.gov.uk
To many people's surprise and some anger, the stadium plans were also on show, with people from the Supporters Trust and the architect there to explain and sell it to the public. So they got some free advertising and credibility too. We were told that the planners have linked the two applications, so one will not be considered without looking at how it fits with the other. This idea was been applied to the consultation, so the stadium people were asked to go along by the pool team. When you see how the existing car park will be enclosed on two sides by long buildings, it's worth seeing them together to get an idea of the total impact.
I had a good chat with the Trust people. Firstly there is some bias, misinterpretation, nonsense and half truth that need debunking.
1. They are the ones saying the park will be 'up for grabs' in four years time when some 'protective status' will be revoked. Some vague reference was made to the South Worcs Development Plan (SWDP) but no actual detail as to what bit this came from (because I think it is rubbish). Anyone who can post a link to where this is stated in official documents will win a prize - a flying pig. In addition, on the SWDP the Perdiswell site as a whole is identified as a 'greenspace' and a site for sports and leisure, in this plan that covers the next 15 years of development.
2. And anyway, in this imaginary nightmare scenario, IF the park is going to be sold off for housing, I asked why would a football stadium stop such a cynical land grab from ruining what is left? No answer, of course.
3. A laminated copy of the SWDP was on the table showing the red hashed area over the Perdiswell Leisure Centre area. This was also being presented as some kind of reason why a stadium should be built there. But the map merely represents what type of site this is ALREADY: 'Leisure Uses' - that's it! It's not granting permission, lending any credibility to or giving encouragement for their plan in the slightest. It certainly does not say 'Mainly for Football'!!
4. The proposed allocation of the Pines site on Bilford Road for housing was said to be an indicator of how the park was under threat. Their architect said (they were 'led to believe that') 200 homes were planned. This is absolutely false - it is proposed that 16 homes go there. Please see page 36 of the list at
www.swdevelopmentplan.org/…/Schedule_Main_Mods_Oct20… for yourself.
5. The car parking - solved!!! There will be almost 100 pre-bookable spaces at the ground - used with the Council's blessing. Fine. Another 80 will be available at Tudor Grange. (I think it was) 160 more have been promised by the office owners at John Comyn Drive, next to old Park and Ride. Yes, City fans and visitors will be met by stewards and directed to walk along the road (not over the golf course) and posted to local streets to ask them not to park in other places. But NO, they will not be able to stop ANYONE walking and parking wherever they like. And apparently only about 100 car journeys were ever made to get fans to St George's Lane for their average attendance of 800. Yes, they have research statistics to back this up. No, I am not convinced either.
6. The stadium will have a special sound-reducing design - a myth. The architect said this was not possible so someone made this up.
7. A nice detailed map was available showing the stadium, canal, and a part of Drovers Way. How close did it look to local houses? Well, Bilford Avenue was a huge blank space so you could not see for yourself. Apparently this was 'just a basic map'! Tell that to the people whose houses are nearest.
8. Some have claimed the footprint of the stadium will be less than the leisure centre. No, no no. BIGGER than the EXTENDED leisure centre, actually.
9. Some have claimed a new playground would be provided. Not on the plans. The Council may help out in that they'd like to put a new one in on the level bit of land between current golf parking and the road.
And other details I was told:
1. The position of the stadium is now nearer the canal, impinging on the current playground site. This would seriously narrow the access to the remaining open space for any other park users, and representing the Friends of Perdiswell group, both pro-and anti-stadium members have approached the pool Project Manager about how the canalside needs to be more accessible all the way from the road, should this all go ahead.
2. The artificial pitch will be off-set, behind the stadium but not aligned with it.
3. If WCFC remains a private limited company and is not transferred in to a community trust, the stadium plan cannot go ahead. They only have a future if merged.
4. A bike shop will be a tenant of a unit within the stadium building. Bike hire and repairs and discount for people cycling to the game will be on offer. Ok, fine!
5. The stadium plans HAVE been delayed by the pool plans. BOTH are going to be ready for Planning in a few weeks.
I have been promised images to share as most stuff online is out of date and/or incomplete.
Thanks for your attention. Things are hotting up. Stay tuned.