MAJOR transformation is on the horizon for Leamington with plans including a community wellbeing hub and a park and ride scheme.
Members of Warwick District Council’s Cabinet are set to meet today (Thursday) when plans to transform the town dominate the agenda.
These include plans for a community wellbeing hub to be built on the site of a town car park.
WDC made the decision to close the Covent Garden car park earlier this year amid fears it had become ‘unsafe’.
It had also become the site of anti-social behaviour.
The car park will be permanently closed to the public on Sunday (February 12) at 6pm and then will eventually be demolished.
Initial plans for the site include bringing a number of “important local services together in a town centre location that is accessible for all”.
These services could include a health centre for the community.
WDC hope the hub will also increase footfall to nearby shops and other services.
WDC had been closely monitoring the structure of the Covent Garden car park for several years. Parts of the facility were sealed off in 2019 and more recently there have been ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour.
To deal with the loss of parking, the Cabinet will discuss the commissioning of a park and ride for the town during the meeting.
Also on the agenda is the transfer of WDC’s HQ at Riverside House for future development. If approved, the council’s face-to-face services will be temporarily transferred to the Royal Pump Rooms and Leamington Town Hall, with replacement staff office space being provided in Saltisford, Warwick.
The cash from the Riverside House sale could then meet the cost of relocating the Edmondscote Athletics Track to Fusiliers Way, and also construct an adjacent footpath/cycleway through to Myton Road, Warwick.
Land would then be available to create a Commonwealth Games legacy park, stretching from Princes Drive along the river bank to the Portobello Bridge on Emscote Road, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.
WDC Leader Coun Andrew Day said: “We’ve been on quite a journey over the last three years and much has changed, but our vision and ambition for our beautiful town has remained unaltered. The benefit of time has given our council the opportunity to revisit and renew previous proposals for both Covent Garden and Riverside House with the needs of our local community, businesses and residents front and centre in our plans.
“With the momentum brought by reinvestment schemes already underway, including Spencer Yard and the Creative Quarter, if the council chooses to move forward with these revised proposals, I believe that significant public benefit will be unlocked, boosting the transformation of our beautiful town.”
