Future of controversial Broadwater car park a '˜fair compromise'

A '˜FAIR compromise' for the future of a controversial Broadwater car park has been agreed by the county council.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Feb 2016, 09:36 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 07:16 BST

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Residents against the loss of Queen Street Car Park pictured in late 2014, with Catherine Bourner at the front leftResidents against the loss of Queen Street Car Park pictured in late 2014, with Catherine Bourner at the front left
Residents against the loss of Queen Street Car Park pictured in late 2014, with Catherine Bourner at the front left

Residents have been fighting to keep Queen Street Car Park open to the public, but the new Bohunt Academy was given temporary permission to use the land for school buildings.

This week the secondary school’s bid to use part of the car park for staff use was approved by West Sussex County Council’s Planning Committee.

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Under the current plans 52 spaces will be provided for staff and 20 for residents.

Queen Street Car Park before temporary classrooms were installed for the Bohunt AcademyQueen Street Car Park before temporary classrooms were installed for the Bohunt Academy
Queen Street Car Park before temporary classrooms were installed for the Bohunt Academy

Mother of two Catherine Bourner, who set up a petition against any changes to the car park back in 2014, explained how parents dropping off and collecting their children was already causing a ‘lot of aggravation’, and felt that the school was ‘not successfully dealing with the situation’.

Officers explained that they had received 12 letters of objection to Bohunt’s proposals and 76 in support, and by moving staff parking off-site, the school was looking to create an informal outdoor play area for pupils.

Bohunt’s headteacher Adam Whitehead, explained that they were having ‘robust conversations’ with parents who dropped off pupils close to the site, and had a number of other measures to reduce congestion around the school.

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The new area would double the non-sports outdoor area available for students, something he felt was ‘really important’.

Bryan Turner, a county and district councillor, pictured last year, felt proposals were a 'fair compromise'Bryan Turner, a county and district councillor, pictured last year, felt proposals were a 'fair compromise'
Bryan Turner, a county and district councillor, pictured last year, felt proposals were a 'fair compromise'

Bryan Turner, a county and Worthing borough councillor, said: “All in all it’s a fair compromise.

“All these variations are for the school to be able to function.”

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Related topics:BroadwaterResidentsWest Sussex County Council