Hambrook Marshes saved

Canterbury City Council has today been forced to withdraw its own planning permission for a £3.6 million expansion of the Wincheap park and ride on to the water meadows opposite Hambrook Marshes. 

The council has withdrawn its own planning permission in the face of new evidence on the falling demand for park and ride and following a challenge from Highways England that the new slip road proposed to service the car park didn’t need national standards and regulations.

The decision follows an almost two year community campaign led by Councillor Pat Edward and other opposition councillors. Labour and other opposition parties have consistently voted against the plans, citing the damage to the floor plane and environment as chief amongst their concerns.

At present the decision by the council is a reprieve but marks an important step. Speaking about the Campaign Councillor Edwards said “the decision for the council to proceed with this plan in the face of huge local opposition, its own climate change direction and common sense is ridiculous. This climbdown represents a turning point in the campaign and hopefully suggests they will listen further.