Row over future of Olympics car park
A temporary car park that was opened to accommodate an influx of visitors to a town in Shropshire during the London 2012 Olympics could be left unused for the foreseeable future, it has emerged.
The land off Stretton Road in Much Wenlock will not be turned back into a paddock if plans put forward by Shropshire Council are approved at a meeting on Tuesday.
Officials at Shirehall want to remove a planning condition which stipulates the car park, which closed last month after a two-year lease ended, must be returned to its previous use. The authority had previously set aside £60,000 to turn the site back into a paddock.
The land, which was turned into a car park when tourists descended on the town from across the world during 2012 due to Much Wenlock's links with the Olympic movement, will instead be locked up and left unused but available for industrial development if required. It could also be used as a car park on special occasions.
But the plans have been criticised by some campaigners who want the paddock restored, and a 55-signature petition and 24 letters of objection have been sent to the council.
Councillors will discuss the idea at a meeting of Shropshire Council's south planning committee at Westgate in Bridgnorth on Tuesday.
Roy Dower, who lives near the site and has been campaigning for it to be returned to a paddock, said: "It will come as little surprise to many residents that planning officers have completed an about turn on the latest variation.
"It would leave the temporary car park shut but unused and not return it to paddock as was stipulated in the original planning condition in October 2011.
"The about-turn now condemns the land to further deterioration despite £60,000 being made available in the council's 2011 budget to cover the cost of returning the land to a paddock.
"The money is there to get the paddock back but the council chooses not to spend it."
Much Wenlock Town Council also voted against the plans and has called for the site to be returned to being used as a paddock.
Six letters have been sent in supporting the plans, which have been backed by Much Wenlock and District Chamber of Trade and Much Wenlock Christmas Fair committee.
Wenlock Olympian Society also claims the site could also help the town stage major international events.
Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council cabinet member for planning, said: "The issue is due to be discussed by the south planning committee on November 5. We are not able to comment any further at this stage while the application is being considered."
