This petition has been produced in cooperation with the Queens Park Residents Association and The Friends of the Meadows. Its purpose is to make everyone in Queens Park and Handbridge aware of plans being drawn up to develop and build on The Meadows.

At a public meeting held at Queens Park High School in February it was announced that the Council and The Royal Chester Rowing Club were planning to develop the existing Queens Park High School boathouse situated on the edge of the Meadows into a much larger facility. The red line drawing above shows the proposed site - it will comprise the whole of the first field of the Meadows.

At that time it was stated that there were ‘no specific details available’. However, it is now understood that plans are being considered for:

• A two storey building with twice the footprint of the existing single storey school boathouse (i.e. 4 times the size)

• The cost is likely to be several million pounds.

• A car park to service the boat club. The whole of  Barn Field has recently been surveyed.

• A bar and social function room.

• Of most concern, the development is set to extend into the Meadows itself and develop the whole of the first field - Barn Field.

We support and are in favour of improving the existing boathouse to ensure that rowing continues to be offered and encouraged at Queens Park High School and that the community canoeing continues there. But the plan is for the school facility to be extended and merged with Chester Royals - a private rowing club - and to become a much larger and more commercially focused centre.

Concerns About Meadows Development

Meadows In Trust - The Meadows were given in trust to the Council to ‘look after’ for the people of Chester. Over the years the Council have tried several times to build on the Meadows. This is the latest attempt to develop Meadows land by stealth and to break into the green belt.

Wildlife - The Meadows is an area of unspoilt water meadows situated in the “Earl’s Eye” of the River Dee in Chester. It is home to an abundance of wildlife. The land has huge ecological importance and should be protected for wildlife and for future generations to enjoy.

Proposal - The proposal is called the “Community Watersports Hub” but a large part of the funding is coming from The Royal Chester Rowing Club - a private members club who service their own members. They intend to sell their existing club-house and move into the new ‘Community’ Hub.

Scale - There are real concerns about the hugely inappropriate scale of the current plans and outright objections to any development on the Meadows, which would set a major precedent in this conservation area.

Traffic & Parking - Siting a substantial new development in Queens Park will simply add to the current traffic and parking problems in the whole Queens Park and Handbridge area.

Hours of operation - Present usage of the site is restricted to the hours of daylight. New plans could allow much longer hours of usage with consequent noise and traffic for longer, potentially into the night. The likelihood of this happening increases if there is a bar and social club as part of the plan.

Lighting - With extended hours of use, the new building will need to be lit (as will the car park) and it is known that light pollution adversely affects the considerable wildlife population. Lighting would also spoil the natural look of the Meadows.

What To Do?

At present there are no plans being made available by the Council. However our local Councillors and the Council themselves would like to hear from you with your thoughts on their proposals to develop our Meadows. You may either:

1. Complete this online petition objecting to any development of the Meadows. Note: The letter below will be emailed to Councillor Razia Daniels if you sign our online petition.

2. Email Councillors Razia Daniels or Neil Sullivan.
razia.daniels@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
neil.sullivan@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

3. Write to them at Unionist Buildings, Nicholas Street, Chester. CH1 2NX

4. Ring them on 01244 312392 or 01244 671099

Thank you.