MCHFT has circulated its own FAQ regarding the proposal. Below are the same questions with responses from local campaigners.
1. Why not build a multi-storey car park?
The Trust claims a decked car park would cost several million pounds and cause disruption during construction. But multi-storey parking is a standard solution for hospitals across the country. The “cost-effectiveness” argument ignores the long-term value of preserving green space for the community.
2. Why not use a shuttle bus or park-and-ride scheme?
There are multiple underused car parks within a mile of Victoria Infirmary, ideal for park-and-ride. Because the proposal is for staff parking, shuttle services could match shift patterns. Costs could be offset by revenue from additional patient parking at the VIN or from the ground rent the NHS would otherwise pay for use of Verdin Park.
3. Have alternative sites been considered?
It is unclear how feasibility was assessed. Derelict sites, such as the former industrial land by Town Bridge, could be repurposed to provide staff parking while supporting wider town regeneration.
4. Has the Trust maximised parking at the current site?
There are areas within the VIN site that could be adapted for further parking. Moreover, it is rare for the existing car park to be full; on most days, spaces remain available.
5. How will additional parking on Verdin Park benefit the community?
While additional parking can support access, taking land from Verdin Park directly harms Castle and Winnington residents. The proposal conflicts with the NHS’s statutory duty under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to reduce health inequalities, breaches NHS England’s Core20PLUS5 framework, and contradicts the National Planning Policy Framework, which protects open space.
6. Could the car park improve public access to Verdin Park?
No. In the evenings and weekends the hospital’s car park is empty. A simple gate and path would allow level access without removing green space.
7. Will the entire park be turned into a car park?
The plan would remove around 20% of the most accessible and most used section of Verdin Park — the land used for carnivals, concerts, dog walking, and family recreation. It is misleading to describe this as a “small part” of the park.
8. How will the car park be funded?
The NHS should focus on utilising existing underused parking within walking distance and supporting sustainable transport. Using NHS resources to destroy green space undermines its own statutory duties.
9. What about the trees and environmental impact?
Trees will be lost. Those left standing will be weakened as tarmac reduces water availability, increasing the risk of falling branches — which insurers will not allow. Removal is inevitable despite reassurances.
10. Could the car park be extended in future?
Once permission is granted, it will be impossible to prevent future extensions. Approval sets a precedent for further loss of green space.
11. Who owns the land, and can the development proceed legally?
Northwich Town Council holds the freehold. But ownership and the right to develop are separate issues. It is still unclear whether the Council has the legal right to permit development on land gifted to the people of Castle, Winnington, and Northwich by Robert Verdin. This requires independent legal scrutiny. The campaign is seeking local legal expertise to establish the park’s status.