'Behind the scenes' talks on Town Quay transformation thrown open to public

PLANS to transform Lymington’s historic Town Quay in a project costing hundreds of thousands of pounds will be thrown open to residents amid accusations that changes were being developed in “secrecy”.

A public consultation is set to be launched next month with a “clean sheet” to gather opinion on how to revamp the waterside area which is currently dominated by a car park and 20-year-old public toilet block.

New Forest District Council, which owns the land, had been in talks with Lymington Harbour Commissioners about a £350,000 replacement for the conveniences with more space and better shower facilities.

The intention was to match the modern new “walk-ashore” moorings set for construction in the winter to compete with other local marinas and protect visitor numbers to the town which sustain jobs and businesses.

However, Lymington and Pennington Town Council wants a more ambitious overhaul to turn the whole area into an attractive community space able to host large-scale events – although that might mean the loss of parking spaces and associated revenue for NFDC.

The wrangling and lack of public input so far sparked criticism by civic group the Lymington Society that the process has been conducted “behind the scenes”.

It welcomed the decision to shelve the current, more limited designs and go out to consultation – which was not announced publicly but instead conveyed via a letter from NFDC chief executive Bob Jackson, seen by the A&T.

Due to concerns from nearby residents, Mr Jackson said there would now be a fresh “engagement process” which might delay any work until late 2020.

Town councillors have already earmarked a contribution worth £100,000 from developers’ contributions to boost any enhancements.

Mayor Cllr Anne Corbridge told the A&T: “We’re interested in improving it beyond a car park, and the toilets are not pretty. But obviously there’s lots of people who will want to have their say.”

She defended the lack of public involvement so far, saying: “It’s always tricky with consultation. Do you give a blank sheet of paper or do you give people something to comment on? I suppose it depends what side of the fence you sit on.”

The town council is backed by the Lymington Society which also wants the area reworked with a “bold and far-reaching” scheme to create a public space that could be a focal point for the community.

Spokesperson Donald Mackenzie said: “It now appears that due to continued behind-the-scene debates between the various parties to the scheme as to the best way forward, the previously very tight schedule to complete any new facilities in time is no longer feasible.

“NFDC have now decided to call a halt to the current proposals, which had only been shown to a few residents on the quay and to go back to the drawing board with a full consultation exercise involving a wide range of interested parties.”

Continuing to use the quay mainly as a car park was a “terrible waste”, he added, when it could be turned into a “vibrant public space”.

The NFDC cabinet member responsible is Cllr Alison Hoare, who holds the environment and regulatory services portfolio.

She tried to dampen down expectations of significant spending beyond the £350,000 already allocated for the new toilet block, telling the A&T: “It will not be a huge scheme. We just want to make the place look better.”

She added: “We would like to enhance the Town Quay. At the moment you come down the beautiful cobbles to it and really it’s something or nothing. But we will not do anything without consulting.

“The plan was always to go to consultation but we have been working with the town council and the harbour commissioners and we have to work with those people first. Nothing has been decided. We want to hear the views of the people of Lymington.”

Ideas being considered include landscaping and enabling the car park to be used more flexibly, such as for public events, Cllr Hoare said.

The harbour commissioners have allocated a contribution of up to £175,000 for the new toilet block, harbour master Ryan Willegers told the A&T.

The need to upgrade the facilities was vital to meet the higher standards now expected by yachts-people and not lose visitor spending to competing marinas which had invested in their offering, such as Beaulieu, Cowes and Yarmouth, he said.

However, they are now unlikely to be ready in time for the £650,000 new moorings for which work will begin this winter.

Mr Willegers said: “There are so many differing views that there was nothing to bring forward under the concept ideas.

“What’s happened is that they have come away from presenting a concept idea and gone more towards a clean sheet and to let people tell us what they want.”

NFDC is expected to launch a public consultation later in the month.