Parking meet was ‘bedlam’

meeting to discuss controversial plans to expand the Wincheap park and ride in Canterbury descended into chaos on Tuesday.

Members of the public packed Canterbury’s Guildhall, with protests also taking place outside. But the meeting descended into chaos when the proposals were approved.

The building had to be evacuated as the crucial votes were being cast after a fire alarm went off.

Local democracy reporter Ciaran Duggan, covering the meeting, said it was ‘bedlam’. The evacuation followed a fierce debate over plans which have sparked a huge public outcry. The planned car park extension, which borders the Wincheap water meadows, has sparked immense backlash. The group of demonstrators had even created their own campaign song as they tried to block plans to build a car park on water meadows.

Despite 780 objections, planning committee members were urged by council officers to rubber-stamp the proposals to expand Wincheap Park and Ride by 228 spaces.

Campaigners came out in force including songwriter Richard Navarro who said he’d play a revised cover of Bill Withers classic Lean on Me.

The extension of the park and ride is an integral part of the authority’s transportation policies and links in with a planned new slip road off the A2.

The outraged group were represented at the meeting by six public speakers.

Pat Marsh, of Wincheap Society and Green Party candidate in Wincheap in Canterbury local election, said the application should be refused.

She added: “It’s hard to find trees of greater value in the whole district than those in the Wincheap woodland.”

Cllr Pat Edwards (Lab) added there was a ‘total lack of imagination” in the reconfiguration plans.

Cllr George Caffrey (Lab) said: “I object because it will not enhance the character in the area, has no community value, local people are against it...and it enhances the flood risk.”